Regent President Edmund Manydeeds III welcomes and encourages UW-Green Bay’s 2022 Spring/Summer graduates

Regent President Edmund Manydeeds III, who started his own college academic career at UW-Green Bay, welcomed the UW-Green Bay graduates at the 2022 Spring/Summer Commencement on behalf of his Regent colleagues and UW System interim President Mike Falbo.

“This is a day to remember,” he said. “You are earning a prestigious degree and you are beginning the next stage of your life. The education you’ve received from this wonderful university and from our talented faculty and staff and from your fellow students—and the experience you’ve gained along the way—are tremendous assets and will serve you well.”

“As you have no doubt learned during your time here, UW-Green Bay is a very special place. I know it is for me, and let me tell you why.”

Manydeeds explained that he wasn’t an enthusiastic high school student, but was encouraged by his father to give UW-Green Bay a try. There were very few amenities on campus at that point, but he discovered he liked going to class. A football scholarship to UW-Superior lured him across the state. And he earned his degree there.

“Coming back to campus now, it’s phenomenal to see how it’s grown … In my time on the Board of Regents, it has become very clear that UW-Green Bay, now a four-campus university with a 16-county footprint, is vital to serving and enriching the lives of its students and their communities. That connection is absolutely vital to the success of our state. This university is a key player in the New North, an increasingly diverse and dynamic region of the state and UW-Green Bay is leading the way in growing and adapting to meet the needs of the community, state and nation.”

Manydeeds reminded the graduates that through each has a unique story to tell, they also share in a proud UW tradition that binds all together across the UW System. “This tradition is seeing a need in the world around us, and then working to find a solution. The UW System has always believed—as I do—that we should benefit and learn from the past … and think and train for the future. This philosophy of education and service—a cornerstone of the Wisconsin Idea—helps to define who we are and what we do, both here on campus and in the world beyond.”

…I encourage you to tell your story, and tell the story of this university’s value and its positive impact,” he said. “There’s nobody better than you to do this. For those who will follow in your footsteps, it’s vitally important. …I know there has been plenty of uncertainty and unknowns these past couple of years, but there’s one thing that’s very clear – and that is how important our graduates are to the state of Wisconsin and beyond. And never more so than now.

“Graduates, I hope you receive your UW-Green Bay diploma with pride. Please graciously accept all the good wishes that come your way today— because you’ve earned them! My fellow Regents and I could not be prouder of each of you. Congratulations, again, to the Class of 2022 and your families! Go Phoenix!