Congratulations to Abi Wise and Melissa Berrocal Barboza for their Outstanding Contributions to the Fourth Annual Cofrin School of Business Art Competition!
We are pleased to announce the winners of the Fourth Annual Cofrin School of Business Art Competition. This year, students from across UW-Green Bay were challenged to create a piece of artwork that represents the historical or current business environment of Northeast Wisconsin, as well as the Cofrin School of Business’s four core values: Community Engagement, Sustainability, Innovation, and Leadership.
First Place Winner: Abi Wise
Abi Wise’s submission, “Bridging Relations,” was selected as the first-place winner. Abi shared the inspiration behind her piece:
“”Bridging Relations” is a pair of digital illustrations, showing a semi-truck journeying over the Leo Frigo Bridge in Green Bay. A quote on leadership by Simon Sinek, an influential thought leader in business, couples the pair. A true leader does more than is expected; they come in early and leave last, as the truck is shown driving through the day and returning at night.
This piece further relates the Cofrin School of Business’s core values of community engagement, innovation, and the local business community. The Leo Frigo bridge is pictured, not only to tie to local features, but also as it serves as a symbol of connection from the UWGB campus and Cofrin School of Business to the industries at the heart of Green Bay that lie across the river. Green Bay serves as a home to some of the biggest leaders in supply chain, such as Schneider, and has witnessed its innovation throughout many decades. Thus, a semi-truck is shown on the bridge.
To me, this truck also symbolizes innovation within UWGB business students. My grandfather was a semi-driver his whole life, my parents were both first-gen college students(one of them even a UWGB Cofrin School of Business alumnus himself), and now, I strive to achieve my dreams of success, inspired by the two generations preceding me. I like to believe every student has a story of innovation behind them, as they and their family lines continued the tradition of Midwestern determination to create better circumstances for those to come after.”
Abi’s piece will be displayed in the Cofrin School of Business collection, starting on the first floor of Wood Hall for the 2026-27 academic year before moving upstairs to the Cofrin School of Business office suite. Be sure to visit and admire this powerful tribute to business history!
Honorable Mention: Melissa Berrocal Barboza
Melissa received Honorable Mention for her piece, “Hallways of Opportunities” Helena described her artwork:
“My artwork highlights the idea that hallways are more than simple passageways, as they become natural meeting points where people exchange greetings, ideas, and small conversations that can grow into something meaningful. The arrangement of furniture in the piece also reinforces how we connect with others, since the placement of seats, tables, or shared surfaces can encourage people to pause, talk, and interact. This everyday environment represents community engagement, because a hallway invites open conversation and shared experiences in the same way the Cofrin School of Business serves as an anchor for Northeastern Wisconsin. When people cross paths, they create opportunities to learn from one another, support each other, and build relationships that strengthen the broader business community. This connects to business and business history because many important ideas begin through informal communication, and a short exchange in a hallway can lead to a new partnership, a creative solution, or the start of a collaborative project. The piece emphasizes the human connections that influence leadership, innovation, and progress, showing how community often grows from small and unexpected interactions that help shape the business environment of Northeastern Wisconsin.”
