A gathering of GullsThe Class of 1953, Wisconsin State College, Milwaukee (a UWM predecessor institution), celebrated its 50th reunion during commencement weekend in May. Old friendships were rekindled and new friendships made as the class enjoyed a gala reception and dinner, campus tour, and displays of memorabilia from the days when the Green Gulls played football and everyone wore saddle shoes. The class was honored at the Alumni Association’s annual Awards Ceremony, and led the Class of ’03 into the auditorium at the undergraduate commencement ceremony. The class included the first graduates of WSCM’s newly formed Liberal Arts Division, whose “Proclamation,” by the division’s class president, Don Frischman, included these lines:
“We hit the scene when there were 5 and 10 cent stores, where you bought things for 5 and 10 cents. For one nickel you could ride a streetcar, buy an ice cream cone, make a phone call, buy a Pepsi or enough stamps to mail one letter and two postcards. You could buy a new Chevy coupe for $600, but who could afford one; a pity because gas was 18 cents a gallon!!
Play Ball!It was fun in any language June 20 as Panthers gathered for UWM Day at Miller Park. A pre-game party at Helfaer Field, the youth sports complex just north of Miller Park, featured entertainment by the Peck School of the Arts Jazz Quintet, Panther Dance Team and UWM Cheerleaders, plus pick-up kickball games on the Helfaer baseball diamond. The first 15,000 fans entering Miller Park received a free UWM/Brewers T-shirt with “Play Ball!” written in languages from Polish to Potawatomi. UWM student Christopher Heimerman, accompanied by signers for the Deaf from the Department of Exceptional Education, sang the National Anthem. Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher welcomed fans and introduced men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Throughout the game, Brewers mascot Bernie Brewer shared the stage with UWM mascot Victor E. Panther. Capping the evening was a 3-2 Brewers victory over the Minnesota Twins.
New e-newsletter for alumniJune saw the launch of The UWM Connection, UWM’s new monthly e-newsletter for alumni. A joint venture of UWM, the Alumni Association and the Foundation, Connection aims to keep alumni informed of the people, research and campus events that touch their lives. It is a great way for alumni to stay connected to UWM and one another. Subscribe today at www.alumni.uwm.edu. It’s free!
A big celebration at When Milwaukeeans want to learn, they learn more at UWM. When they want to party, they head to Summerfest. UWM paired these two great Milwaukee institutions June 29 at UWM Day at Summerfest. Alumni and friends enjoyed a full afternoon of exclusive entertainment at the Shoreline Corporate Party Area, courtesy of sponsors eGrad, BankOne and the UWM Alumni Association. Entertainment included alumnus David Seebach’s Wonders of Magic show, ComedySportz, mass hypnosis by Las Vegas performer Susan Rosen, and appearances by coaches Bruce Pearl and Sandy Botham, and UWM mascot Victor E. Panther.