Phun photos: Phuture Phoenix hosts annual reception

UW-Green Bay’s signature college attainment program celebrated another successful year May 28, hosting its annual spring reception in the Weidner Center’s Grand Foyer.

The Phuture Phoenix event offered attendees the chance to reflect on program milestones and hear from supporters and staff. Mark Murphy, president and CEO of the Green Bay Packers, offered the evening’s keynote remarks. Phuture Phoenix co-founder Ginny Riopelle spoke about program milestones, and UW-Green Bay Chancellor Tom Harden gave the closing remarks.

Phuture Phoenix aims to increase the odds that students from at-risk schools will graduate from high school and also pursue higher education. It involves bringing area fifth-graders from Title I elementary schools from throughout Northeastern Wisconsin to spend a day on campus as a means to envision themselves as future college students. Phuture Phoenix mentors — UW-Green Bay student volunteers — continue contact with many of these students in Phase II of the program. The mentors work closely with students in grades 6-12, tutoring and mentoring them.

Since its inception in 2002, Phuture Phoenix has connected with more than 10,000 students, encouraging them to do well in school and dream of a future they may not have considered by moving on to higher education. The program was designed because Northeastern Wisconsin has a lower percentage of students in the state graduating high school and going on to higher education.

More information about Phuture Phoenix is available online.

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Photos by Amy Bartelme, Professional Program in Education.