Standing ovation for Phoenix friend Billie Kress

UW-Green Bay’s spring graduation ceremonies brought the institution’s highest community honor and a well-deserved standing ovation for philanthropist and civic leader Billie Kress.

Mrs. Kress received the Chancellor’s Award, presented on stage by UW-Green Bay’s interim chancellor and provost, David Ward and William Laatsch.

Mrs. Kress is known widely for her advocacy and energy in support of projects that benefit children and families in and around her hometown of Green Bay. Among the diverse activities and agencies benefitting from her involvement have been Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, St. Mary’s Hospital, the Brown County Historical Society, the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra and the Meyer Theatre, among others.

At UW-Green Bay she became an early advocate of the Phuture Phoenix program, which lifts the aspirations of local fifth-graders by pairing them will college-age mentors, providing campus tours and encouraging them to graduate from high school and pursue higher education.

Commented Chancellor Ward as members of the graduating class, platform party and many in the audience stood to applaud, “Our students, our University and the entire community owe Billie Kress a debt of gratitude.”

Afterward, she posed with Dan Spielmann, interim assistant chancellor for university advancement.