September 20, 2010

Good afternoon,

I hope that you continue to enjoy the beginning of the fall semester.  We were in town on Monday and Tuesday of last week but left for Houston on Wednesday for a family celebration and to conduct some family business.  I have to say that for us, the trip was nice, the celebration was fun, but the best part of the experience was Reagan running out of the restroom proclaiming “I did it!.”  Yes, we are proud.

Last week we hosted the UW-Superior Alumni Association and Foundation Board of Directors quarterly meetings on campus.  The two boards met in joint session to discuss priorities.  The UW-Superior Foundation’s long term strategic priority is to build endowments to a minimum of $15 million.  Endowment growth will focus on direct financial support to students through scholarships, need based financial aid, research and internship stipends.  The UW-Superior Alumni Association’s long term strategic priority is to deepen connections with alumni through events as well as engage alumni in classroom lectures, networking events with current students and other activities that enrich the student/alumni experience.

Thursday evening the Foundation and Alumni Association honored donors and outstanding alumni at a recognition event.  Student and faculty speakers shared with the audience the impact private philanthropy has had on their lives and scholarly work. 

Friday morning the standing committees of both boards met to conduct business.  Though I was out of town at the time of the meetings, I did have the opportunity to provide a detailed campus update via Skype from Houston, TX.  Thank you to Barnes and Noble for letting me use their Wi-Fi.  Technology can be a wonderful thing.   Board members also had the opportunity to attend a class, tour the Lake Superior Research Institute and Swenson Hall. 

Building and continuing relationships with students, former students, and community members is critically important to the future of UW-Superior.  Support from alumni and friends helps us fund facilities, scholarships, as well as teaching and learning activities across our campus.  I am very pleased to announce that in recent weeks we have received a number of gifts including $100,000 to the Erlenbach Fund from a UW-Superior alumnus and his wife, a $113,000 estate gift from UW-Superior neighbors to fund an endowment to support a music scholarship, and a $25,000 endowed fund from an alumnus to support a scholarship for Transportation and Logistics Management.  Thank you to the many people who provide support for what we do here at UW-Superior.

This week, our faculty and staff begin returning from visiting our Wisconsin in Scotland Program.  Each year, the Wisconsin in Scotland Program sponsors a site visit for faculty and staff from participating institutions to visit the program and our students.  It is a great opportunity to see first-hand how the program operates and how it can change lives.  Faculty and staff then return and assist in recruitment and advocacy.  Yesterday, Bridget, Reagan and I met Sherry Chuzles (Communicating Arts Department) at the Minneapolis Airport on her return trip and we look forward to seeing some of her 200 pictures.  Other UW-Superior participants include Karl Bahm, Jen Bird, Rick Moran, and Connie O’Brien.

Study Abroad is an important component of our Global Awareness initiative.  The Wisconsin in Scotland Program is one of many opportunities for students to gain an international experience.  I encourage you to talk to students about where they might consider studying abroad.  For more information please contact Cherie Sawinski at ext. 8020.

This week I will travel to Madison for a Chancellor’s meeting with President Kevin Reilly and then return for a busy weekend.  In addition to a number of athletic games, this weekend is Family Weekend.  Please check out the list of activities and help welcome the families of our students to campus.  I hope you have time to join in one of several events this weekend. 

On Friday, there will be a wine tasting at Barkers Island Ballroom from 7-9.  Proceeds will benefit the women’s softball team.  Tickets are available by calling the Athletic office at 715-395-4693.  Also, our UW-Superior Athletics Hall of Fame will be inducting a number of members in recognition of their contributions to UW-Superior Athletics.  This year’s inductees include: Dr. Julius Erlenbach, Joe Gayan, Abby Glawe, Joe Krieg, Anthony Leonardo, Duane Matye, Melanie Miller, Peter Susens, and the 2004 Women’s Softball Team.  The event will take place Saturday, September 25 beginning at 6:00 pm in the Mertz Mortorelli Gym.  Call ext. 8452 for tickets and information.  I hope to see you there.

Finally, for those of you who are not aware, UW-Superior has an active outdoor recreation program.  The Superior Outdoor Adventure Program (SOAP) will be sponsoring Fall Family Fun on Sunday, September 26.  The first adventure is a Family Paddle allowing you to explore the Northland from a Kayak.   The second adventure is at the Superior Challenge Ropes Course.  Both adventures are free for UW-Superior Students with nominal charges for others.  For more information about either adventure contact Jared Johnson at jjohn120@uwsuper.edu. 

Last week I quoted from Bridget’s weekly President’s column for her Rotary Bulletin where she highlights a particular character or leadership quality.  I have received a number of requests to provide that link.  This week’s quality is wisdom. 

The Liberal Arts Initiatives.  The Growth Agenda.  Making Excellence Inclusive.   We at UW-Superior are attempting big things.  We are pursuing great things.  We are engaged in many things.  But I am reminded by the excited proclamation “I did it!” how important it is to remember what some may consider to be the little things.

Keep up the great work and have a great week!

Chris Markwood

Interim Chancellor