Schreiber and other Greater Green Bay area businesses benefit from their close proximity to UW-Green Bay.
“As an employer, having the campus here provides us access to good, talented people,” said Ron Dunford, president and CEO of Schreiber, a Green Bay-based dairy company which produces and distributes natural cheese, processed cheese, cream cheese and yogurt. “Beyond that, being a university town is a strong recruitment tool, adds diversity to the community and contributes to its overall economic health.”
That belief led Dunford to get involved with UW-Green Bay’s Ignite the Future $20 million campaign to raise funds needed to support student success. The campaign is focused on strategic priorities ranging from need-based scholarships and new academic programs, to investing in music and Athletics.
“I’ll admit I did not know much about the University before meeting Chancellor (Michael) Alexander. He shared with me this vision of what the campus is now and what it could be,” he said. “The University is a real success story.”
Dunford was so intrigued by the campaign he also agreed to be one of the campaign’s four co-chairs along with Cordero Barkley, director of finance and investment for TitletownTech, Mark Murphy, President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers, and Dr. Tina Sauerhammer Dean, a surgeon in private practice. Barkley and Sauerhammer Dean are UW-Green Bay alumni.
“The campaign is about igniting the possibilities, aspirations and passions for students and the community for generations to come,” he said. “The campaign is about raising the funds needed to ensure student success in multiple ways.”
Launched last spring, Ignite the Future has raised $12 million of its $20 million goal. Dunford is encouraging community members to learn more about the University and its successes.
One example is that UW-Green Bay is increasing its student population while other post-secondary schools have seen enrollment decline.
“Once people know more about the University, I believe they’ll participate in supporting it,” Dunford said. “Employers should look at how their businesses benefit from UW-Green Bay, whether it’s from hiring graduates, creating internships for current students to participate in or tapping an expert from the campus for advice.”
Students majoring in in-demand industry sectors like business, engineering, health care and sciences benefits area employers looking for workers, Dunford said.
About 100 Schreiber employees are UW-Green Bay alumni, and many continue to be engaged at the University through job fairs, speaking to classes or participating in events, such as the business etiquette luncheons, said Erin Hughes, a talent and global mobility team leader for Schreiber.
“We also have an internship program that allows us to bring in (UW-Green Bay) students. Our interns do meaningful work and provide us with a fresh set of eyes,” she said. “We work around their schedules and students can work remotely, as well, so they can log in from campus between classes to work.”