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Chancellor Tom Harden: The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is proud
to be a part of the University of Wisconsin System. And that System – your System – known
around the world for its excellence, is governed by a citizen Board of Regents selected from
across the state. These Regents give countless hours of service
as volunteers to keep our University of Wisconsin System world class. We are fortunate to have
with us today Regent Jeffrey Bartell, who will bring greetings from the board. Please
join me in welcoming Regent Jeff Bartell.
Regent Jeffrey Bartell: Thank you, Chancellor. It is a great pleasure
for me be here with you to extend congratulations on behalf of the University of Wisconsin-System
Board of Regents to the graduates and to bring greetings to the families and guests of the
graduates, and to the entire UW-Green Bay community.
You probably know – and the Chancellor just mentioned -- that the Board of Regents is
responsible for governance of the entire UW System – that includes 13 bachelor degree-granting
universities and 13 two-year colleges, with campuses spread around the entire state. Among
those, UW-Green Bay, which is now I understand in its 47th year, with enrollments of nearly
6700 – and I just heard with alumni who are scattered around the world, 30,000 alumni
around the world, is certainly one of the finest. Its economic impact on the Green Bay
community and the entire New North region is enormous. Particularly impressive is the
fact that I understand something like that 80 percent of you graduates will remain in
the Brown County area and over 90 percent will stay in Wisconsin - building your careers,
enhancing the economy, and of course paying taxes. So, I want to assure you that, in purely
economic terms, the Board of Regents recognizes the importance of this university to your
community and to the state of Wisconsin.
But beyond that, we also recognize the importance of the quality education that you graduates
are receiving here – I think you call it 360 Degrees of Learning – and the contributions
that you will make in the future as informed and productive citizens.
Now I know some of you had to work to put yourself through college, it was probably
quite a grind. When I was an undergraduate, I worked in the shoe department at JC Penney
and I played in a rock band on the weekends. And that was enough to pay my tuition. I’m
sure that was much less than the tuition you’re currently paying. But you must know that your
education was funded, in part, by state taxpayers and by gifts and grants from alums of your
parents’ generation and my generation, as well as what you are able to earn and borrow
in student loans and pay tuition. And I'm hoping you will recognize an obligation in
the future, as you find your successes – and you will find your successes to ‘pay it
forward’ and support your university and the Phoenix students who come after you. I
hope you won't forget this place and what it has done for you.
Now, I'm sure you're getting plenty of advice as you move on with the next phase of your
life – whether it's onto graduate school, into the working world, or maybe for some
of you, moving back in with the parents while you look for a job. And I hope that you will
forgive me if I offer up a little bit more advice. But my advice is really quite simple
– three words – make a difference. As we are reminded of the fragility of life – and
how cruel happenstance can so horrifically end it – I’d like you to commit to do
what to can and to see what you have been given, indeed what you have earned, here at
UW-Green Bay, to make a difference – to make a positive difference in your life, in
the lives of those around you, in your community and in the lives of our country. No one is
better equipped than you – and you – and you – and you to do what has to be done
to make transformative changes in this world.
The UW-Green Bay degree that you have been given and are about to receive not only increases
quite substantially your potential lifetime earning power, it also provides much of what
you need to assume a leadership role in shaping the 21st Century and making this a better,
more peaceful society. Please accept that role – that responsibility – and make
a difference.
On behalf of the UW Board of Regents, good luck to each of you, and congratulations for
all you have accomplished to bring you here today.
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