Dhein accepts UW-Green Bay Chancellor’s Award

Steve Dhein of Green Bay was presented the Chancellor’s Award, UW-Green Bay’s highest community honor, at spring commencement May 18 on campus.

Dhein accepted the award from Chancellor Tom Harden in front of an audience of about 5,000 at the Kress Events Center.

Dhein is chief adviser to the higher-education-friendly 1923 Fund and 1883 Fund charitable trusts. The philanthropic foundations were established by the late Dr. David A. Cofrin, who in the founding documents identified 16 organizations that he considered “particularly deserving,” including UW-Green Bay and the Cofrin Center for Biodiversity.

“Like Dr. Cofrin, Steve believes in philanthropy that is participatory, not passive,” Harden said in presenting the award. “He works closely with partner organizations to ensure that good programs become great ones … that resources are maximized to achieve the highest and best results.”

Harden noted that Dhein has been an engaged and active presence with UW-Green Bay natural areas, scientific research, the Theatre program and the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts, among others.

“At this University, at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, with the nearby Baird Creek Preservation Foundation, with a range of organizations both local and national, (Steve’s) is a positive presence,” Harden said. “But he consistently challenges us to maintain a very high standard, as befits both the Family and Foundations whose charitable funds he helps direct.”