Celebrating the University’s achievements
In our recap of ‘Town Hall II’ on Friday morning (Feb. 20), the Log newsletter delved so deeply into concerns about proposed budget reductions that we failed to report that Chancellor Gary L. Miller opened the hour with a recitation of recent good news for UW-Green Bay. Even with busy schedules made busier by expedited budget planning, he noted, and justifiable concerns about possible cuts, the University’s people and programs continue to demonstrate excellence. Among the highlights:
• Enrollment — Thanks to good work by volunteers across campus (more than 100, in all), enrollment-initiative coordinator Jen Jones, and the ongoing dedication of UW-Green Bay’s Admissions Office, applications for fall 2015 are up 13 percent, with admits up 7 percent;
• Business Administration — Accreditors from the AACSB informed the Cofrin School of Business that its self-study report has been accepted, a key step in the lengthy accreditation process;
• Faculty scholarship — Numerous examples, led by Bob Howe and Amy Wolf receiving a $475,000 EPA grant for fish-and-wildlife habitat assessment on the Fox River and lower bay;
• Innovation — UW-Green Bay recently hosted WiSys leaders impressed by the app work being done by faculty including Scott Ashmann, Susan Lepak-Gallagher, Heather Herdman;
• Student research — The University has finalized another strong roster of student presenters for the Systemwide “Posters in the Rotunda,” and a new UW System grant is encouraging student/faculty collaboration and student presentation at professional conferences;
• Growth in student scholarships — The Office of Advancement reports that calendar year 2014 saw creation of 26 new scholarship funds, with a 12 increase in total dollars available;
• Weidner Center — The venue recently enjoyed its busiest and most varied weeks of programming in many years: six programs, six consecutive nights, nearly 9,000 patrons through the door;
• Athletics — Kevin Borseth recorded career win No. 600 in women’s basketball, and AD Mary Ellen Gillespie was appointed one of only 10 members of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Committee;
• 50th anniversary — Plans proceed for academic year 2015-16 activities that will honor the many who helped build UW-Green Bay, spotlight the institution’s success, and address student and community needs for the next 50 years.
