A look back at Harden’s open forum

Tom Harden, the third of four candidates to visit campus earlier this month, drew a standing-room-only audience of faculty, staff, students and community members on Dec. 10.

Tom Harden

He opened by expressing appreciation for the large turnout and joked that as he approached the 1965 Room that day and saw the long line snaking through the University Union’s halls, he thought there must be a really popular movie playing.

He spent much of the hour-long session answering questions and describing his experiences at Clayton State. Topics included that institution’s enrollment growth during his tenure, program array, diversity efforts and fine arts facilities.

Tom HardenHarden told his audience he would need time “listening and learning” before sharing a vision for UW-Green Bay. He did say he hoped the University could cultivate, or continue to cultivate, its reputation for excellence in select areas so as further promote a distinctive academic brand throughout Wisconsin, the Midwest and beyond. He talked of seeking financial support for “world-class faculty.” Harden also observed that while we are “facing interesting times, with the economy,” a successful institution must be poised to capitalize when the inevitable rebound occurs.

Harden was accompanied on his two-day visit to Green Bay by his wife, Cathy, whom he introduced at the forum.