UWGB Transformed Christopher by…

…giving him the motivation to start his own business.

Ask any small business owner: entrepreneurship can be the most rewarding–and the most stressful–endeavor that a recent college graduate can undertake. Yet that is exactly what Christopher Lange did, and he credits his UWGB experience, one that helped him find the motivation to take the risk of small business ownership.

“When I began attending UWGB, I was uncertain about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life,” Christopher says. “While I am still not certain where I will end up, I am most certainly better prepared because of my time at UWGB.  I started out unfocused and, to some extent, unmotivated, but through time, learning, and the diligent help of UWGB staff, I began to take my studies seriously.”

Christopher recalls his many lasting friendships made while at UWGB, but he insists that the leadership and inspiration from the UWGB staff and faculty is what truly made the difference in deciding his career path. Citing Gregory Aldrete, Clifton Ganyard, Ellen Rosewall, and Darrel Renier, Christopher believes that it was these people who transformed his academic career into one he could be proud of.

Now, Christopher is a small business owner and emphasizes that his UWGB education was indispensible in his success.

“Had I not taken time to make myself want to learn, and not had the tools and resources available to me at UWGB, I would not have been in a position to be a small business owner,” Christopher says.

Name: Christopher Lange

Grad Year: 2014

Major: History and Arts Management

Minor: Humanistic Studies

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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB  experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.

UWGB Transformed Kerry by…

…taking him around the world and ‘full circle’

When Kerry J. Kuplic began his academic career at UWGB, he had no way to predict that his experiences would land him in Florence, Italy and eventually as an assistant professor at the college level. But UWGB is a special place, after all.

Throughout his four years at UWGB, Kerry was encouraged to pursue his goals and was given the tools to make them a reality. He was provided opportunities to travel and connect with colleagues and professors from around across the globe, and his education helped prepare him for an international career in the performing arts, ultimately in higher education. He recently joined UW-Green Bay’s very own Sarah Meredith-Livingston with three of his own students for a week long workshop in Florence, Italy. Collaborative efforts like these underscore just how meaningful Kerry’s undergraduate experiences were.

Kerry’s story is clearly representative of his alma mater and its many successful alumni.

“In many respects, I’ve come full circle,” Kerry explains. “I participated in these workshops as a student, and now I’m bringing my own students. My UWGB professors’ commitment to excellence in all things and the advice and guidance I was given informed my choices and have helped me to succeed professionally.”

Name: Kerry J. Kuplic

Grad Year: 2006

Major: Music, Vocal Performance

Minor: Arts Management

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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB  experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.

UWGB Transformed Arie by…

…preparing him for a career that didn’t exist when he was a student.

When Arie DeWaal graduated in 1972, he never dreamed of being a Federal Hydroelectric Licensor because, quite simply, the job didn’t exist. However, thanks to a comprehensive UWGB education, Arie earned the position a few years after graduation and hasn’t looked back.

“UW-Green Bay gave me the footing to succeed,” Arie says. Facilitating this sense of success, Arie cites the leadership and professional knowledge of Don Gandre, Bill Laatch, Bill Kuepper, Jim Murray and Kumar Kangayappan. “UW-Green Bay professors had a genuine interest in their students,” he said.

Arie says he was well prepared and ready for the workforce following graduation. He joined Mead and Hunt, an architectural and engineering firm, in 1975. Shortly after his arrival, he earned the position of Federal Hydroelectric Licensor, a career path created by a burgeoning new industry and a company that he’s proud to serve. As a testament to his leadership and his UWGB education, Arie says Mead and Hunt started small, but he’s helped the company expand to 27 offices and 600 employees. And one of those employees is near and dear to his heart: Arie’s son, Chris, who is following in his footsteps.

Facing an uncertain future, Arie knew that a UWGB education would transform him into a viable candidate for many careers, even those that didn’t yet exist.

Name: Arie DeWaal

Grad Year: 1972

Major: Regional Analysis

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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB  experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.

UWGB Transformed Samantha by…

…preparing her for leadership, graduate school, and beyond.

When Samantha Jackson began her freshman year at UWGB, she asserts that she wasn’t in desperate need of self-assurance, but the experience changed her nonetheless. “I wasn’t extremely shy or quiet, but I wasn’t very outspoken either,” Samantha says, “and over the course of my time at UWGB, I didn’t grow out of my introvert behavior, but I did become more confident in myself.”

Samantha says she wouldn’t have met such incredible people and wouldn’t have aspired to other campus leadership positions without first attaining roles as a Resident Assistant and Community Advisor. “Without those jobs, I would not have met some of the people who became my close friends and fellow English majors,” she said. “One of the other RAs my sophomore year was the president of Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honors Society. He told me to come to a few meetings, and I did. This started my path to becoming Sigma Tau Delta’s President my senior year.”

Samantha’s involvement with Sigma Tau Delta ultimately led to a trip to Seattle, Washington for the American Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) Conference for a weekend with six of her fellow Sigma Tau Delta members. Of the trip, Samantha says, “It was the most memorable and impacting event of my career. The opportunity to meet so many other writers was amazing, and it was a conference geared towards my passion, major, and career interests. Opportunities like that do not come around very often.”

Samantha also credits Rebecca Meacham for challenging her to become a better writer and exposing her to the Sheepshead Review, UWGB’s literary magazine, an experience Samantha insists, “has proved so useful to me after graduation.” She also recognizes Bryan Vescio, Samantha’s academic advisor, for helping her decide where to attend graduate school, as well as Stefan Hall and Chuck Rybak who “made each and every class wonderful and memorable. I still use much of what they taught me today.”

So far, Samantha’s leadership experiences, pre-professional development, and UWGB education has allowed her to attend graduate school at UW-Madison, in its School of Library and Information Sciences.

“I know what is expected of me, and my experiences have helped me obtain a job,” Samantha says. “I was taught so much, and I still use what I learned at UW-Green Bay every day.”

Name: Samantha Jackson

Grad Year: 2014

Major: English

Minor: Information Science

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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB  experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.

UWGB Transformed Molly by…

…letting her step outside of her comfort zone.

Molly Witt has always loved other cultures, and she says she was fortunate to attend a university where so many others shared the same passion.

“As a German major I had two very important people impact my life–Jennifer Ham and David Coury–who pushed me to advance my proficiency, my cultural competency, and encouraged me to engage in the opportunities outside of class,” Molly says. “They made my studies tough but enjoyable. In fact, I never wanted to miss their classes because of they way they inspired me to learn.”

Later in her studies, UWGB and its Office of International Education facilitated Molly’s participation in a year long study abroad opportunity at UWGB’s sister school in Germany. Molly says, “That year is by far my most memorable year in my life and helped me step outside of my norm to immerse myself in something totally different.”

Today, Molly says she wouldn’t be where she is today “without the education, internships, study abroad experience and networking opportunities I received at UWGB.” Molly now works in the education field, traveling the world to talk to students about attending a university in the USA, allowing others to step outside of their comfort zones to see what the world truly has to offer.

Name: Molly Witt

Grad Year: 2005

Major: German

Minor: Business

 

Photo submitted by: Molly Witt

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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB  experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.

UWGB Transformed Katrina by…

…redirecting her career path.

When Katrina VerHagen began her college experience, she convinced herself that becoming a Business Administration major was the surest path to success. However, midway through her very first year at UWGB, Katrina realized that a business-oriented job simply wasn’t for her, and she allowed UWGB’s outstanding faculty and staff to steer her toward a career she truly loved.

“I was determined to become a Business Administration major, but UWGB’s education made me realize that I needed to get out into the community and make a difference,” Katrina says.

With the guidance of Georgiana Wilson-Doenges, Dennis Lorenz, and Ryan Martin, Katrina refocused her career path and earned a degree in Psychology and Human Development —her newly found passions — thanks to UWGB’s dedicated faculty and staff.

“I went from heading toward a career that would have been less than ideal toward one I truly love. The UWGB experience allowed me to grow as a person and truly find my passion, which sets you up for success,” Katrina says.

Name: Katrina VerHagen

Grad Year: 2013

Major: Psychology and Human Development

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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB  experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.

UWGB Transformed Tyler by…

…welcoming him back home.

Although many UWGB students begin and end their college education as a Phoenix, countless UWGB alumni are transfer students who began their academic careers elsewhere. Tyler Gajewski is one of those transfer students, and he credits UWGB for refocusing his education and welcoming him back home.

“My first semester of college was at another university, and I hated it,” Tyler says. “I had a terrible rooming situation, it was an unfamiliar setting, and I was from a small town but was dropped into a place where I was basically a number instead of a person.”

Being a graduate Gajewski, Tyler 3of nearby Pulaski High School, Tyler decided it was best to come home, and UWGB welcomed him with open arms.

“It was a difficult time, but I decided to transfer to UWGB. It was fresh start, and one of the things I like telling people is that UWGB gave me more opportunities than I would have had staying where I was,” Tyler says.

Tyler explains that traveling to Italy for a studyabroad art program, being showcased in art shows at the Lawton Gallery, working at the Learning Technology Center, and becoming an Apple Campus representative were just a few of the opportunities that were awaiting him once he embraced UWGB. And the people he met exceeded his expectations.

“Several people provided a huge influence on me including Christine Style, Toni Damkoehler, Jeni Mokren, Frances Coates, Eric Lightbody, Andy Speth, Josh Goldman, and many others,” Tyler explains. “These people taught me to be a better student, better artist, better employee, and shaped who I am today.”

Now holding a job with the Green Bay Packers, Tyler insists he made the right choice, saying UWGB allowed him to “develop a foundation in education, arts, and people skills that translated into my career.”

Name: Tyler Gajewski
Grad Year: 2011
Major: Studio Art
Minor: Education

Photos submitted by: Tyler Gajewski

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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB  experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.

UWGB Transformed Susan by…

…embracing interdisciplinarity to make the impossible possible.

UW-Green Bay is known for its many high-quality academic programs, but for Susan Frost, UWGB’s Adult Degree program proved to be life changing. “What I remember is the very personal involvement and support that the staff of the Adult Degree program provided,” Susan says. “This was a formula for success. It was comforting and encouraging, and it was powerful in retention and in motivation. The people involved changed my life.”

When Susan arrived on the UWGB campus, she was already a successful business woman and in fact, Susan brought her secretary along for the ride.

“We both earned degreeFrost, Susans,” Susan recalls, “and when I started, I came to get a piece of paper to nail to my office wall that said I was ‘certifiably smart.’ What I got was something far more important, much to my surprise.” Susan asserts that her UWGB experience provided her with a deeper understanding of how interdisciplinarity works in the marketplace, crucial to her future success in the business world. “This understanding allowed me to transform my business from an ordinary advertising agency to a marketing company that has survived the test of time, when others have fallen, because true marketing is based in the humanities and understanding the human condition,” Susan says.

Of course, Susan did not arrive at this conclusion on her own. She credits Bill Laatsch for “engaging me in topics I never thought I’d like and teaching me how to teach,” Fritz Fischbach who “taught problem solving and helped me define my life’s work and passion,” and Cheryl Grosso whose class “let me put my toe in the water and understand that I could earn a degree.” And not surprisingly, Susan gleaned insight from a truly eclectic, interdisciplinary group of UWGB educators. “As anyone can see, this is an interdisciplinary education,” Susan explains, “and this why I have donated to the university. I want other students to have this amazing experience.”

Embracing this sense of interdisciplinarity, Susan has engaged herself to make a lasting impact on her community. “I have a very comprehensive understanding of how the dynamics within a community play out, and it has given me a foundation to contribute to the community I love by serving on the Neville, the Brown County Historical Society, the Founders Association, and the Evergreen Productions Board in a way I never could have in the past,” Susan insists. “None of this would have happened without the transformative experience of the university which provided me with the tools needed to provide broad community education.”

Now working as an Associate Lecturer, Susan says that UWGB helped make the impossible possible.

“My UWGB experience not only assured me of my ‘smartness,’ but it also opened the door to obtaining a master’s degree at UW-Milwaukee, something I never imagined possible,” Susan explains. “For all of this, I am eternally grateful to this institution. I owe it to the professors who opened so many doors, a profound debt which I try to repay with every student I touch now as an Associate Lecturer: again, this is something I never imagined was possible.”

Name: Susan Frost
Grad Year: 1997
Major: Business, Communications, and Humanistic Studies

Photo submitted by: Susan Frost

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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB  experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.

UWGB Transformed Angela by…

…helping her help others.

When Angela Bub started her freshman year at UWGB, she was undecided as to what to do with her life. But she found a sense of belonging in Zeta Omega Tau, the Sheepshead Review and Habitat for Humanity.

“By becoming connected with older students, I was able to become more engaged in school,” she said. “In doing so, I significantly raised my GPA and found my passions: helping others and writing.” Angela asserts that these organizations not only provided her with a purpose, they also transformed her into a well-rounded individual who thrived in the interdisciplinary setting that UWGB offered.

Angela credits Karen Bircher, Mike Stearney, and Rebecca Meacham as role models throughout her academic career, fueling her passion for helping others. Ultimately, Angela parlayed this inspiration into a career in education and now works as a therapist in a non-public school in Oakland, California, helping those in need. She is pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work, an accomplishment she never could have imagined without UWGB’s help.

“My UWGB experience transformed me and the foundation of my educational career. These organizations [Zeta Omega Tau, the Sheepshead Review, and the Humane Society] impacted me in countless ways and have shaped who I am as a person today,” Angela says.

Name: Angela Bub
Grad Year: 2012
Major: English
Minor: Secondary and Human Development

Photo submitted by: Angela Bub

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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB  experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.

UWGB Transformed Natalie by…

…motivating her to be a marathoner, not a couch potato.

“Entering college, I was a scared and timid 18-year-old,” says Natalie Salkowski, “but I left a confident woman. Being involved as a Resident Assistant, at the Kress as a Fitness Instructor, and in the Professional Program in Education developed me into a strong young woman who could fearlessly face the world.”Amanda and friends post race

Helping her along the way were Chrisanna Coletta and Laura Vietmeyer, Natalie’s mentors and supervisors during her time as an RA and Fitness Instructor.  “Laura has inspired me to always reach for all of my dreams no matter how lofty. Chrisanna now lives further away, but I am still glad to call her a friend as well,” Natalie says. “She helped me so much to grow into myself and to be true to who I really am. Her advice and friendship helped me in more ways than I can explain.”

During her time as a Resident Assistant, Natalie recalls having “an amazing staff to work with every single year.” Whether it meant putting on programs or simply spending quality time with each other, Natalie says, “It was a ton of fun to relax every night after class and be ridiculous with a group of people who were only there to be kind and not to judge.”

As a lover of fitness and exercise, Natalie also discovered a love of running while at UWGB. “I would run in the arboretum after class as a stress reliever that grew into a new passion. This passion grew into members of the Kress staff inspiring me to run in the Green Bay 1/2 Marathon as a junior. Once I did, I was hooked. The day after I graduated in 2013, I ran in the Green Bay Full Marathon and did so last year as well. With the love and support of my UWGB family, I was transformed from a couch potato to a marathoner.”

Ultimately, it was this blend of academic and personal experience that allowed Natalie to flourish as a person. “I discovered through all of these activities my love of leadership, fitness, and learning. It has made me a better teacher at the school I work at, a better coach, and a good role model for all of my students,” Natalie says. “The people I have met at UWGB have surely shaped me into the person I am today and have made me a better person.”

Name: Natalie Salkowski
Grad Year: 2013
Major: Biology
Minor: Secondary Education

Photos submitted by: Natalie Salkowski

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We’ve asked alumni to either share stories of how their lives were transformed by the UWGB  experience or how they are making the world a better place with transformational work in their careers, homes, or volunteer experiences. As UWGB celebrates its 50th Anniversary, meet an alum each week who has experienced a “UW-Green Bay Transformation.” Stories were self-submitted and then edited by Zachary Taylor, a 2010 English Education graduate currently serving as Interim Associate Director of the Phuture Phoenix program.