First master’s awarded in Sustainable Management

Matthew Christianson of Green Bay entered his name in the UW-Green Bay history book Saturday, May 17, during spring commencement at the Kress Events Center.

Christianson (left) became the first recipient of the new Master of Science Degree in Sustainable Management. Prof. John Katers presented the diploma and assisted with the ceremonial hooding during the ceremony in front of nearly 5,000 spectators and participants.

Christianson completed the online program in less than 18 months. The new master’s is a collaborative effort of UW Extension and the UW System campuses in Green Bay, Oshkosh, Parkside, Stout and Superior. Students choose the school in which they will be enrolled, but take courses offered by each of the member institutions.

UW-Green Bay was a logical choice as home university for Christianson, formerly of Sturgeon Bay.  Following five years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, he enrolled as an undergraduate at UW-Green Bay and earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 2012.

Posing for a photo before the ceremony with Katers, Christianson said he intends to pursue a position in the growing field of corporate sustainability, in which companies examine their processes and policies with the aim of meeting consumer expectations for “green” practices. As important, companies want to add green to their own bottom line by promoting reuse and recycling to limit waste. Christianson’s master’s thesis involved best practices in professional sports sustainability, from game-day recycling to front-office and franchise-wide techniques for going green.