Together We Rise: Top 10 UW-Green Bay Moments of 2024

As we look back on the past year at UW-Green Bay, we are filled with pride and gratitude for the remarkable achievements and memorable moments that have defined our community. From firsts and grand openings to inspiring student successes and impactful community partnerships, 2024 has been a year of growth, resilience, and celebration. Join us as we highlight the top moments that have made this year truly unforgettable.

First-ever Giving Day

University supporters came together for an inaugural University Giving Day on April 3, leaving their #PhoenixFootprint. Thanks to Larry and Kathy Treankler’s matching gift challenge, donations went twice as far. The University received $72,500 in gifts, plus the matching funds for a total of $145,000 in support for current and future Phoenix. Thank you to the 623 donors! Students participated by writing thank you messages to send to donors. Mark your calendars for next year– April 3, 2025!

Campus comes together to witness Partial Eclipse 

On April 8, the Northeast Wisconsin community looked to the skies to view the partial eclipse that happened over Green Bay. While campus was not in the path of totality, the sight was still awe-inspiring! See more photos.

Partnership with St. Norbert College expands options for region

In a first-of-its-kind partnership in the region, UWGB signed an articulation agreement with St. Norbert College (SNC) on April 11 that allows students in select degree programs to seamlessly study at both institutions. Programs included were Engineering offerings through UWGB and Economics or Engineering Physics from SNC. See more, including a full list of classes and program credits available through the partnership.

Spring Commencement brings a major milestone and first

Each year’s Commencement ceremonies are shining moments for the University Community, rising to the top of the past year’s memories. This year’s Spring Ceremonies, brought two particularly exciting milestones for two fearless students- the 1000th graduate from UW-Green Bay Graduate Studies, Michelle Kruschke-De Jesus, graduating with a Master’s in Management and the University’s youngest-ever Latinx bachelor degree graduate, Nadia Neziri, graduating at 19 with her degree in Environmental Policy and Planning.

Popular LeadGB camps join summer camp line-up

Two regionally popular and new-to-campus youth leadership programs were added to the University’s summer camp line-up this year. The ‘LeadGB’ series – LeadGB Girls and LeadGB Boys is run by local leaders, Chelsea Faase and Chuck Brehm, known for decades-worth of work in youth leadership. Both LeadGB programs offered two one-week sessions, impacting local youth from first to eighth grade through tailored leadership programming. Read more.

Shorewood Disc Golf Course opens 

Aug. 17 brought the grand opening for the Shorewood Disc Golf Course, a new way to enjoy the beautiful Green Bay campus. The course continues the vision of the Shorewood property, making it a destination for students and the community. The space already offered championship-level cross county course, biodiverse landscapes, cross-country trail offerings in winter and the home office of UREC Outdoors— the Outdoor Adventure Center.

The course was developed by nationally renowned disc golf figure Cale Leiviska and is open to students and public alike. In the last four months since the opening, stats from UDisc users report that more than 3,000 rounds have been played by more than 1,000 users from more than 28 states and three countries!

Read more about the course.

Cort Condon Hall welcomes 200 students

In August, 200 sophomores moved into brand-new Cort Condon Hall, UW-Green Bay’s largest and first new resident hall in more than 12 years. The hall is specifically designed for second-year students to increase social and cultural opportunities, foster common-interest learning communities and support degree attainment. It offers both two-person and four-person shared bedroom apartments with an array of shared collaboration and recreation spaces. How do these first-ever residents feel? Watch and see.

Read more about the hall.

Estamos Aqui returns… with bubbles

The free outdoor Hispanic Arts & Culture Festival, ¡Estamos Aquí! Festival Hispano returned to the UW-Green Bay campus this year for the second year in September, welcoming roughly 12,000 people to enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes! The sights and sounds included a large-scale immersive, temporary sculpture, Evanescent, created by Atelier Sisu which drew crowds in the thousands on its own, in advance of the festival.

UW-Green Bay celebrates record enrollment

With a total enrollment number of 11,188, UW-Green Bay announced a record enrollment in late October! This total represents an 8.2% year-over-year increase and continues the positive trajectory that UW-Green Bay has realized in past years. Additionally, UWGB leads all UWs in growth this fall. UW-Green Bay’s growth is a milestone for both students and the region, considering more than 75% of UW-Green Bay graduates stay in the area post-graduation. Read more about this exciting growth.

A big year for athletics

Throughout the year, Green Bay Phoenix Athletics has experienced numerous milestone moments. Both Women’s Basketball and Men’s Soccer took the title of Horizon League champions and made NCAA tournament appearances. New head coaches brought fresh perspectives to both Men’s and Women’s Basketball with the hiring of Doug Gottlieb and program alumna Kayla Karius ’11. Related, friend of Coach Gottlieb and household name Lil’ Wayne brought eyes (more than eight million, in fact) on the program with a social media shoutout. This year also brought a leading gift from the Green Bay Packers to establish and endow the Mark Murphy Director of Athletics at the University.

The positive momentum at UW-Green Bay continues – serving the region by providing options for EVERYONE to learn, experience, innovate and explore. Together we rise!