UWGB Transformed Lindsay by…

…giving her the confidence to launch her very own fine arts company.

When Lindsay Barr (nee Kujawa) came to Green Bay, she admits she was a quiet girl who lacked self confidence and a direction.

“I knew I loved theatre, but not for the performance aspect, but for the academic potential it provided,” Lindsay explains, “and through my four years at UWGB, I not only grew into the academic theatre professional I have become but into a person who is confident and strives to help my students find their confidence everyday.”

As often is the case, Lindsay’s professionalism was inspired by a number of UWGB professionals, Laura Riddle, Mike Ingraham, and John Mariano to name a few.

“Laura Riddle really encouraged me to challenge myself and grow. She taught me the importance of passion and academia within theatre, and pushed me to expand my views on the world,” says Lindsay. “Mike Ingraham was one of the toughest professors I encountered, but he deeply impacted my teaching style. He showed me how effective ‘tough love’ can be and although he probably doesn’t know it, his kindness and understanding during my senior year was one of the most influential experiences of my college career. And John Mariano was the first person to really believe in my academic abilities. He pushed me academically like no other teacher I’ve encountered. His passion for theatre history and dramaturgical importance in production is one of the main reasons I am pursuing a career in dramaturgy and producing. Beyond that, John was an incredible director and acting professor, and I feel extremely lucky to have been a student of his.”

As a result, her time at UWGB inspired the creation of Lindsay’s very own Introspect Arts, a fine arts company currently in its 7th season, run entirely by a new generation of young artists. And Lindsay credits UWGB for showing her how mentorship, collaboration, and excellent artistry can deeply impact one’s community.

“My time at UWGB prepared me for the real world far beyond some of my fellow colleagues. The liberal arts education, not only within the college but also the Theatre program, gave me more opportunities than I thought possible,” Lindsay says.

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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 Lindsey by…

…supporting her artistically and academically.

The words “unusual” and “rare” aren’t traditionally associated with an outstanding college education, but Lindsey Przybylski insists that UWGB’s educational opportunities are anything but normal.

As a talented Art major, Lindsey found a valuable artistic outlet in the Lawton Gallery.  “The experiences that the Lawton Gallery has provided have been one in a million. Having the opportunity to exhibit my student work and actually have the university purchase one of my pieces is something I will never forget,” Lindsey says. “These opportunities are extremely rare, and UWGB students are fortunate to have them.”

However, Lindsey says that her artistic success wouldn’t have been possible without her advisors and professors, who provided Lindsey with “the best art education, direction, and resources that simply can’t be found anywhere else.”

“Sarah Detweiler, Alison Gates, Allison Stehlik, Linda Tabers-Kwak, Karen Eckhardt, and Aurora Cortes have been the driving force behind my education and helped my educational dreams come true,” Lindsey explains. “The support, knowledge, and encouragement I have received from these individuals is not normally found at major universities, and UWGB’s students are truly lucky to have these individuals as part of UWGB’s educational team.”

This ideal blend of artistic and academic support has transformed Lindsey into becoming the best educator possible for her future students, an experience not unusual at UWGB.

Name: Lindsey Przybylski

Grad Year: 2012

Major: Art

Minor: Education

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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.