WAUSAU — “Route 51” will feature a conversation about University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s recently unveiled Point Forward proposal, a plan for a new kind of regional university, at 10 a.m. Nov. 29.

In response to expectations of students and parents and to meet the needs of north central Wisconsin, the proposal weaves liberal arts education through career-focused programs. It also reorganizes UW-Stevens Point’s four existing colleges into three interdisciplinary schools. Chancellor Bernie Patterson and Provost Greg Summers join host Rick Reyer to discuss the proposal and its implications for the university as a whole and the region it serves. Listeners can join the conversation at 800-780-9742.

UWSP Chancellor Bernie Patterson Credit: Tom Charlesworth

“Route 51” is heard on stations 101.3 & 91.9/Wausau, AM 930/Auburndale-Stevens Point, 99.1/Stevens Point, 100.9/Marshfield, 90.3/Park Falls, 89.1/Adams-Wisconsin Rapids, and 89.9/Rhinelander-Eagle River. It is re-broadcast Fridays at 7 p.m. on 90.9/Wausau.

Patterson has led UW-Stevens Point since 2010, guiding the strategic plan and vision of the university while strengthening ties with local and regional communities, according to a Wisconsin Public Radio news release. Previously he was the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Oklahoma City University, a dean at Georgia College and State University and a faculty member at Valdosta State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Western State University, a Ph.D. and Master of Arts in criminology from State University of New York at Albany and an Educational Specialist degree and a Master of Science from the University of Central Missouri.

Greg Summers

Summers, the provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, joined UW-Stevens Point as a faculty member in the Department of History and International Studies in 2001, according to the release. His research and teaching interests are in U.S. environmental history, the history of technology and consumerism. He is author of the book “Consuming Nature: Environmentalism in the Fox River Valley, 1850-1950.” He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and physics from the University of Akron, a master’s degree in history from the University of California-Santa Barbara and a Ph.D. in history from UW-Madison.

Photos courtesy UWSP.