SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014 2 | Chancellor’S Message
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SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014 2 | Chancellor’s Message CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is proud of the accomplishments celebrated in today’s commencement ceremony. We recognize and applaud the determination of the graduates to complete their studies. We also recognize and appreciate the help families and friends have given to make this graduation possible. The completion of a program of study is significant. It commemorates the end of one important activity while signaling unlimited opportunities for the future. It is in this spirit of hope and optimism that today we congratulate those who have now completed their studies at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Our newest graduates represent a rich tradition of hands-on collaborative learning, academic excellence and personal growth that extends back to the date the University was founded in 1871. It is this tradition that links our newest alumni with prior graduates, who are actively enriching the civic, business, charitable and political sectors of our global community. As a regional center for the celebration and promotion of knowledge, culture and innovation, our University is an integral part of our broader community. With the fresh effort and focus of today’s graduates who join us in this broader role, we envision even more opportunities that will connect our University with the region we so proudly serve. It is my pleasure as the 10th leader of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to extend this special recognition on behalf of the faculty, staff, students and alumni of the University. Sincerely, Richard H. Wells Chancellor University of Wisconsin Oshkosh University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | 3 UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh was degree programs and, as of fall 2010, the founded as the state’s third normal school in University’s first doctoral degree: the Doctorate 1871. President George S. Albee headed a faculty of Nursing Practice. Chancellor Richard H. of five normal school teachers, the model school Wells, who was appointed in 2000, leads this director and three teachers. Forty-three students vibrant educational institution — the third- attended the first day of classes. The Oshkosh largest university in Wisconsin with an on- State Normal School became the state’s foremost and off-campus enrollment of 13,900. The teacher-training picturesque and institution. A fire environmentally in 1916 destroyed conscious campus the school’s main covers 171 acres building, which and is home to was replaced with four colleges — Dempsey Hall Business, Education in 1918. and Human Services, Letters In later years, and Science, as the focus and Nursing. and curriculum UW Oshkosh’s expanded, the focus on teaching institution underwent is evident in its several name changes. distinction of A graduate school having won nine was added in 1963. In its centennial year of UW System Regents Teaching Awards of Excellence. 1971, President Roger Earl Guiles guided UW Oshkosh’s merger into the Wisconsin system. UW Oshkosh also is committed to becoming a nationally recognized model for the “engaged Today, UW Oshkosh prepares students university.” Our striving to meet this goal is for fulfilling lives and challenging careers illustrated in the Points of Pride described on with 60 undergraduate majors, 15 master’s the following pages. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM The University of Wisconsin System is governed The board is currently comprised of John R. by the Board of Regents, an 18-member board Behling, Mark J. Bradley, John Drew, Tony Evers, appointed by the governor. The board, in turn, Regent President Michael J. Falbo, Margaret Farrow, appoints the system president, the chancellors of Tim Higgins, Tracy Hribar, Chad Landes, Regent the 13 universities, the chancellor of Extension and Vice President Regina Millner, Janice Mueller, UW Colleges, and the deans of the 13 colleges. Drew Petersen, Charles Pruitt, Gary Roberts, José F. The current system president is Ray Cross. Vásquez, David G. Walsh and Gerald Whitburn. 4 | Points of Pride UW OSHKOSH POINTS OF PRIDE At the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, faculty, staff and students come together to form a distinctive institution that prides itself on engaging people and ideas for common good. The following Points of Pride are some of the many achievements that set us apart: Student Points of Pride • UW Oshkosh has had the most successful • Senior business majors at UW Oshkosh taking Model United Nations Program in the world, the Educational Testing Services business knowledge receiving 29 Outstanding Delegation awards at assessment test ranked in the top 5 percent international competitions. nationwide, while MBA graduates ranked in the top 5 percent nationally on the MBA students’ • The College of Nursing passing rate for the assessment exam. National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for undergraduate students contin- • UW Oshkosh students who took the CPA ues to be one of the highest in Wisconsin. exam placed the University in the top 10 of schools nationally. • The Advance-Titan has won the top national award for student newspapers five times. • College of Letters and Science graduates are coveted by the best graduate programs in the nation. • More than 200 UW Oshkosh graduates have gone on to receive the Herb Kohl Teacher • UW Oshkosh has won 45 national championships, Fellowship of the Year award for excellence including 31 NCAA Division III and three and innovation in teaching. NCAA Division II competitions. Campus Points of Pride • Six individual faculty members and three anaerobic biodigester plant in Wisconsin, serving departments have received the Regents as a model community program for food and yard Teaching Excellence Awards. waste and assisting UW Oshkosh in meeting a state off-the-grid energy goal for campus. • At more than 13,900 students, the University’s 2013–2014 enrollment is holding strong at • UW Oshkosh became the nation’s first Fair Trade record levels over its more than 140-year history. University in 2008. The University also was one of the first to analyze its carbon footprint. • College of Letters and Science faculty, staff and students serve as a cultural anchor to the region by • The total UW Oshkosh economic contribution to contributing to the quality of life through theater the state is more than $500 million. The campus is productions, musical performances and art exhibits. responsible for directly and indirectly creating more than 9,000 jobs, generating more than • UW Oshkosh is recognized as a national model $37.5 million in tax revenue and giving more than for developing and highlighting exemplary $4 million in time and money to local charities. campuswide liberal education programs. • UW Oshkosh has achieved more than 50 years of • UW Oshkosh ranked 14th nationally on offering graduate studies, can boast of more than the Sierra Club’s Coolest Schools list for its 13,000 graduate school alumni, and continues to sustainable practices. be a leader in graduate education by offering more • The UW Oshkosh Foundation partnered with than 30 master’s, post-master’s and certificate the University to build the first dry fermentation programs as well as one doctoral program. Points of Pride | 5 Alumni of Pride More than 83,000 people worldwide call UW Oshkosh their alma mater. This sample of their accomplishments highlight how our alumni are impacting their professions, communities and the world: • Diane (Vanheuklon) Abraham • Robert Keller (BS, economics • Todd Teske (BBA, accounting (BS, economics ’84, MBA ’87) ’69) is chairman of the board ’87) powers Briggs & Stratton, the is the new president and CEO of of J. J. Keller and Associates world’s largest producer of gasoline the Oshkosh Area Community Inc., Neenah. engines and leader in outdoor Foundation. power products with revenues • Robert Kleinschmidt (BBA, exceeding $2 billion annually, • Shane Arman (BA, journalism ’10) accounting ’71) is the president serving as the chairman, president was named PR Week Young PR and chief executive officer of and chief executive officer. Professional of the Year for 2013. Tocqueville Asset Management LP in New York, N.Y. • Chungyia Thao (BA, urban • Steve Boettcher (BS, radio-TV- economics ’01) and Maiyoua film ’82) Emmy-winning filmmaker • Wendy Lewis (BS, psychology Thao (BS, human services ’01, highlighted Wisconsin’s sturgeon- ’79), senior vice president for MSE ’09) own four Appleton spearing tradition in his 2014 strategic alliances and diversity companies: Harmony Counseling documentary, The Frozen Chosen. with the Chicago Cubs, has been Center, Tongxeng Personal recognized for her efforts to Homecare, Universal Translation • Maria Brenny-Fitzpatrick (MSN diversify Major League Baseball. ’05) is director of transitional care at and Wisconsin Hmong Directory. UW Hospitals and Clinics–Madison. • Sandra Nadeau (BA, sociology ’76, • Janice (Meyer) Thompson MSE ’82) is executive director of (BM, music ’71), professor • Craig Culver (BS, biology ’73) the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra. is co-founder and president of emeritus of the Arizona State Culver Franchising System Inc. • Rebekah Peppler (BA, journalism University, performs with the ’08) works as the food editor Transcontinental Piano Duo. • Timothy Greinert (BBA, of Tasting Table, a daily emailed • Vanessa Virbitsky (BA, Operations Management ’85) publication that blends the impacts more than 150,000 students journalism, political science ’08), tradition of high-quality food combined a love of sports and annually