UWGB welcomes new chancellor

GREEN BAY - The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay now officially has a new chancellor.

The formal welcome for Thomas Harden was held yesterday on campus. But Harden has already been on the job for several months.

Music rang out in the Weidner Center, welcoming new chancellor Thomas Harden to the university.

Harden says once this celebration is over, it's back to work as usual. And he says he already has some ideas in the works of ways to improve the university.

Harden said, "We should grow as an institution. There's demand here for bachelor degrees and master's degrees and we're in a great position to deliver them."

Harden says a growth agenda, or a way to draw in more resources and students, is one of his biggest plans he has for the school.

"With the change in the economy, that has really slowed down, but it's still very important to north east Wisconsin that we pick back up with a growth agenda," said Harden.

Some students have suggestions for the new chancellor as well on what he can do to improve the university.

Shannon Bolick said, "There's no parking. There's no parking anywhere."

"I think the chancellor could definitely improve on the resources and make things more accessible to students. Like, we're kind of far away from a lot of different activities," said Ashley Herrell.

"It's so secluded that you can't just walk to a restaurant and you can't just walk to even the apartment buildings because you have to drive everywhere," said Bolick.

Harden says he is tackling the small things first and says the big plans will take time.

Former UWGB chancellor Bruce Shepherd left to become president of Western Washington University.