Category: Occupational Wellness

One of the many areas on campus that displays all the beauty of UW-Green Bay is the 9-hole golf course, known as the Shorewood Golf Course. Much of this beauty is due to the hard work and dedication of the golf course superintendent, Nathan (Nate) Rusch. Nate is responsible for keeping the course running and in tip-top shape through the golfing season. Nate does a spectacular job managing the grounds and ensuring the course is void of any gophers. He also maintains the equipment and oversees several student employees at the Shorewood. During the off-season, Nate can be found on any one of the many campus roadways, plowing and salting. Nate is a 1999 graduate of UW-Green Bay with a degree in Biology and Environmental Science. He comes from a family of teachers, so he thinks it only fitting to be working at the university in an education setting.

Nate loves to travel and also enjoys boating, camping and biking. On and off the job, Nate is always on the go. When asked what he enjoys outside of work, he said “I have recently started biking on a regular basis.  On a nice day I will try to get 20-40 miles on”. Make some time to visit the beautiful course, and be sure to stop and say hi… if you can manage to catch a second with this active employee!

Pictured with Nate above is “Divot”, Nate’s female companion who has been with him for 15 years!

Position at UWGB:  Golf Course Superintendent

Summary of what you do:  I manage the grounds and equipment at Shorewood Golf Course.  The winters are spent with the Grounds Department in Facilities where I maintain the roads on campus plowing and salting and work as a mechanic when there is no snow removal.

How long have you been employed:  10 years come September 2015

Brief history of employment with UWGB:  I was hired on as Golf Course Superintendent for Shorewood Golf Course September 2005

Three words that describe you:  Adventurous, Inquisitive, Quiet (at least until I get to know you)

Personal interests:  Travel, Boating, Camping, Biking

Random facts/interests:  I was one out of ten people chosen in the nation for a golf course management internship at Disney.  I was offered a fulltime position right before I was supposed to leave so I did not end up going.  It would have been a great experience and often wonder where I would be if I had accepted it.

 – Any favorite line from a movie?  Any line from Carl Spackler in Caddyshack, of course.

– Favorite travel spot?  I love to travel but my favorite trips have been to Europe.  I’ve traveled there five times and have loved every trip.

– Tell us a little about yourself.  I am a UWGB grad, class of ’99 with a degree in Biology and Environmental Science.  I started out working at Branch River Country Club in Manitowoc in 1997 and grew to love the work.  Once I graduated from UWGB, I was hired on as the Assistant Superintendent at Branch and worked there until 2005 when I became the Superintendent of Shorewood.

– Tell us a little bit about your family.  I come from a family of teachers.  My sister teaches band in Lancaster, WI, my Dad is a retired Woods teacher and my Mom taught special needs students.  I guess it’s only fitting that I work at a University.

– What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?  I really enjoy working with the student employees and seeing them grow over the years.  Many of my students come into the job not knowing anything about turf maintenance and after a year or two, they are out there leading projects and coming up with great ideas for the course.

– What book did you read last?  Rick Steves’ Portugal

– What do you like to do on your days off?  If I have enough time, I love to travel.  This is difficult to do with my job though.  Even when I am gone, my phone is always on.  Otherwise, in the summers I will get the boat out as much as I can and try to go camping a few weekends a year.

– What does a typical day look like for you?  Every day is different for me.  I have an idea of what we will work on for the day when I get in to work in the mornings, but things always come up.  The job definitely keeps me on my toes!  Some of the roles I play on a daily basis are mechanic (with approximately 35 pieces of equipment and 24 golf carts to keep running, this is a huge part of my job), ecologist, pathologist, office manager, irrigation tech, equipment operator and carpenter.  In the winters, I put many miles on the truck, plowing and salting all of the roads on campus.

– What is your favorite sport?  Definitely volleyball, although Kickball in the Quad every Wednesday is a close second.

– What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?  I have recently started biking on a regular basis.  On a nice day I will try to get 20-40 miles on.

– What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?  Has to be either the horse burger I had in Ljubljana, Slovenia or octopus rice in Lisbon, Portugal.

– Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?  Really hoping to get to New Zealand this coming spring.

In honor of employee appreciation week, employees were asked to “Share their Stories” as a UWGB employee. See below for some great stories about being a UWGB Phoenix Employee!

“Most of the employees in the University Advancement office are UWGB graduates and I think that is pretty darn cool! :-)” Liz Teubert, University Advancement.

“This University changes lives – not in some abstract way, but in real ways that directly impact real people here in our community. UW-Green Bay is a vital part of the health and economic growth of Northeast Wisconsin and it is my fervent hope that we can continue to play this important role long into the future.” Eric Craver, Outreach & Adult Access.

“I met my wife here… while wearing the Phlash outfit.” Dan Moore, Outreach & Adult Access.

“Working at UW-Green Bay is a great experience because of my fellow coworkers.  The majority of the faculty and staff remain positive and work extremely hard through tough times.  This is also a beautiful campus, thanks to the amazing grounds crew and facilities crew, making work a pleasant place to be each day!” Sue Machuca, Phoenix Bookstore.

“I have always had supervisors that care about the students and that care about their staff.  I have been blessed with amazing office team players who have become friends and feel like family. We have some caring staff and faculty all over campus who strongly support students and who treat all people who work here equally.  I have fun.  There has never been a single day that I have gotten up and not wanted to come to work.” Toni Bergeon, Dean of Students Office.

“We are lucky to have so many outstanding colleagues – bright, funny, interesting, dedicated, committed, and caring people who understand why it’s important for each of us to do our best every day.” Lucy Arendt, College of Professional Studies/School of Business.

“I am so thankful for the quality of students at UWGB.  Many who work several jobs, care for family and suffer with health issues while pursuing their dream of a college degree.  These students deserve so much respect for turning in such wonderful work and doing their best when all odds are often against them.  It is a privilege to serve them.” Jennifer Smith, Human Development.

“For the past three years, I have been apart of the UWGB Float Committee. This past year we won the Jean Nicolet Award.  Our committee is small but mighty and I’m so proud of what we get accomplished each year.” Amanda Wildenberg, Dean of Student Office.

“I am proud to be an employee, an alumni, married to an alumni, parent of one UWGB grad who is fully employed in his field , parent of a current UWGB student with 6 credits to go, and parent of another student who graduated from another UW campus (who took summer classes at UWGB) and currently is in grad school.  I believe in UWGB  and all it has to offer our community and our world.” Amy Henniges, Health and Counseling.

 
“In addition to my career with the Office of International Education, I also teach fitness classes at the Kress Event Center.  My “noon crew” class (Zumba and Toning Circuits) has been a great opportunity to meet people from all over campus.  We have had staff from Advising, Admissions, Office of International Education, Student Life, CATL, American Intercultural Center, NEW Partnership, Dean of Students, Outreach, Cofrin Center for Biodiversity, faculty and students.  It has been very rewarding to get to know people from so many different departments in a fun and welcoming environment.”   Kristy Aoki, International Education.

Thank you to all faculty and staff who submitted stories and THANK YOU for all you do to make UWGB a great place! There’s No UWGB without U!

As part of Employee Appreciation Week, all employees are encouraged to participate in “Team Building Thursday” activities going on around campus today from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.  Need some ideas?

• Hit the Student Services Patio and University Union 206, where Student Life has generously provided a myriad of activities for employees to enjoy (Ping Pong Table, Shuffleboard, Horseshoes, Adult Size Tricycles, Scooters, Giant Connect 4, Giant Jenga, Giant Checkers, Remote Control Cars, and much more!).
• Start a pick-up game of kickball in the campus quad (kickball and bases will be provided).
• Start a pick-up game of sand volleyball in Phoenix Park (volleyballs will be provided).
• Join Kristy Aoki for a Zumba Class in the Kress Events Center from 12:15 – 12:45 p.m. (Bring Sneakers and ID).
• Gather your co-workers and go for a walk in the Cofrin Arboretum.
• Grab your disc, and take advantage of the Disc Golf Course on campus.
• Take advantage of Shorewood’s lunch special for staff and faculty – Lunch, a drink, and 3 holes of golf for $10. Please call ahead (x2118) to reserve.

And lastly, a reminder to show your Phoenix Pride tomorrow!  Every Friday is Phoenix Friday!  Wear your gear to enjoy 10% off at A’viands dining locations.  The Phoenix Bookstore will also offer a 20% discount on apparel, gifts, and school supplies. Employees can also get a sneak peek on Friday from noon- 4:30 p.m. for the Annual Campus heirloom plant fundraiser for Natural and Applied Sciences!