UW-Green Bay marks 50th: ‘Phoenix Way,’ citywide events, more

GREEN BAY — The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is sharing more details about a series of celebrations marking five decades of history that began Sept. 2 1965 when Governor Warren Knowles signed legislation creating a new four-year university for Northeastern Wisconsin.

Fifty years later, UW-Green Bay is embarking on a year-long celebration designed to broaden its engagement with alumni, students and the community. The 50^th anniversary date happens to coincide with the University’s opening day of the fall semester, Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Activities planned for the academic year include alumni and student events, opportunities to share memories and campus history, a special lecture series and, later in the year, a focus on the next 50 years and the ways tomorrow’s UW-Green Bay can take a greater lead in innovation, transformation and service to the region.

Festivities begin Monday, August 31. Members of the media and friends of UW-Green Bay are invited to commemorate the occasion at 10:30 a.m. when UW-Green Bay Chancellor Gary Miller and Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt will temporarily rename a one-block stretch of the Broadway District ‘s Hubbard Street “Phoenix Way,” at its hub intersection with Broadway. Chancellor Miller will also create the first chalk stencil that will appear throughout the city in support of UW-Green Bay’s long and continued relationship with the City of Green Bay.

UW-Green Bay will celebrate with several activities on Sept 2:

• “Turning the Market Green” — celebrating with the Phoenix at the Farmers Market on Broadway from 3 to 8 p.m. The public is encouraged to wear green in support of UW-Green Bay. The evening includes activities and giveaways at the UW-Green Bay tent, corner of Broadway and Hubbard, and music by the campus-affiliated band Brass Differential.The tapping of a new Phoenix Brew and special-edition root beer, compliments of Titletown Brewing Co. takes place at 6 p.m. at the beverage tent, Beerntsen’s Candies parking lot, 200 North Broadway. (Proceeds of beverage sales and merchandise sold return to UWGB for student scholarships.)
• Anniversary Campus Kickoff and Backyard Bash, 4 to 6 p.m., Mauthe Center, adjacent to the Kress Events Center, with faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends invited to join in on the 50^th celebration. A brief program includes a welcome, remarks followed by a cookout and live music, in partnership with the private, independently operated Mauthe Center and sponsored by the UW Credit Union.
• Leaders to Leaders Breakfast (private event, limited seating), 7:30 to 9 a.m., Phoenix Room, University Union, UW-Green Bay. The invitation-only breakfast brings together a cross-section of current University and community leaders with past student leaders to celebrate UW-Green Bay. Guest Speaker: Scott Knapp, 1974 graduate and first Student Government Association President of UWGB, now the President of Central Maine Community College.

Events throughout the year include a Last Lecture Series by UW-Green Bay faculty; volunteer efforts in conjunction with national Make a Difference Day this fall; Alumni Days in October and a wrap-up community event May 6, 2016.

“We are going to offer ways for 33,000 alumni to reconnect and for 6,700 current students to embrace the future,” says UW-Green Bay Chancellor Gary L. Miller. He also specifically wants to use the opportunity to engage the community.

“This community wanted a great university in Green Bay back in 1965. Our goal is to meet the needs and expectations of this region through increasing levels of engagement, partnership building, innovative education and service,” he said. “The opportunity to celebrate our first 50 years is also an opportunity to commit ourselves to being a key partner in this great place.”

All events and activities are listed on the 50^th Anniversary website 50.uwgb.edu, facebook/uwgreenbay or #uwgb50.