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Press Conference

Oct. 20, 2005

Remarks by

Dean Andrew Keogh,

UW-Marshfield/Wood County

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.  The UW Central Wisconsin Connection has significance for all three of our institutions. 

For the two-year campuses, our students will be better served.  For most of our students, completing the Bachelor’s Degree is their objective.  This Connection agreement provides a way for Marathon and Marshfield/Wood County students to meet that objective more efficiently and effectively. 

 Having the assets of all three campuses to draw upon, and developing a substantive relationship with their Bachelor’s degree-granting institution, are advantages to our students.   Beginning university study is an intimidating step for many, and the two-year campuses, with their small class sizes, ease that transition.

Moving from sophomore status at a two-year campus to junior status at a large university campus like Stevens Point can also be difficult.  Dual enrollment will ease that transition for those students who take advantage of this new program.  For the UW Stevens Point campus, having well-prepared, upper-division students will enrich the academic and student-life programs of the campus.  Anything that improves the educational experience of our students is a significant benefit for all three campuses.

It is also significant that the three University of Wisconsin System campuses in central Wisconsin are acting together to improve service and opportunity to the central Wisconsin citizens.  This is an opportunity for our campuses to think and act as assets to our region. 

By engaging in this collaborative venture, we are thinking beyond our campuses’ borders and responding to statewide needs and, most importantly, the needs of our central Wisconsin citizens.  By working together on the Connections program, and on other programs in the future, we increase our capacity to improve the lives of our students and quality of life and economy for all in our home region. 

Thank you.