Green Bay, WI – Brand new pianos for music students is one of the many ways that the recent $2.3 million gift from Dean Emeritus Robert “Bob” J. Bauer will benefit students at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. A decades-long professor and leader at the university, Bauer passed away in January of this year.

“We are incredibly grateful for this amazing gift from Professor Bauer,” said UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander. “Bob’s dedication to UW-Green Bay and to the many things that make our city great were always inspiring to me. He truly saw the potential for what was possible at our university. This gift will impact our students in music, veterans’ services, athletics and throughout the University in ways that will truly honor his legacy.”

As a former music faculty member, the Robert and Joanne Bauer Endowed Professorship-Director of Bands has been established to support music education, provide new pianos and sustain The Weidner and The Weidner Philharmonic in their mission. “Prof. Bauer’s support of the Weidner Philharmonic will support the orchestra in its mission to build new audiences for the symphony. We do this through a free fall concert, innovative programming, commissions and film with live symphony projects for the entire family,” said Kelli Strickland, executive and artistic director for The Weidner. “I had the great pleasure of sitting next to Prof. Bauer during one of the Weidner Philharmonic’s early concerts and he was so excited to see the return of a symphony to Cofrin Family Hall, telling me that we had done ‘a very good thing.’”

Bauer’s support will have a transformative impact on the music education program at UW-Green Bay. “This is a program that was near and dear to his heart,” said Ryan Martin, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. “His generosity helps ensure that our students will learn from a dedicated Director of Bands while also providing access to new pianos, instruments and other resources that are essential to a high-quality music education.  This investment creates opportunities for students today and strengthens the future of music education for generations to come.”

A veteran and passionate Green Bay Women’s Basketball fan, Bauer leaves a lasting legacy through his support of these two UW-Green Bay programs as well, ensuring greater access to veterans’ services and memorable Phoenix Basketball experiences for future generations of students and fans. “We are incredibly thankful for the monetary gift that Bob designated to our UWGB women’s basketball program,” said Kayla Karius, head coach of the Green Bay Phoenix Women’s Basketball team. “He was clearly an avid fan and has believed in our teams for many years. This donation will continue to support our student-athletes and help keep our program operating at a high level in the future.”

In 1969, Bauer was named director of bands for UW-Green where he also chaired the Music program and guided that program to accreditation with the National Association of Schools of Music in 1977. He was very involved on campus and was appointed Dean of Professional Programs and Continuing Education. He served in that role until he retired in 1994 as Dean Emeritus. 

Bauer regularly served as guest conductor for various musical groups, directed the UW-Green Bay music camps and performed flute with the Green Bay Symphony. In 1974 he began management of state contest of Wisconsin School Music Association held at UW-Green Bay; the program continues today, named the Solo and Ensemble Music Festival. Throughout his career at UW-Green Bay he continued to teach in the music program and was also appointed chairman of the Building Committee for the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts in the late 1980’s. Bauer also recently endowed the Robert and Joanne Bauer Endowed Professorship in Strings with the UW-Green Bay music program.

About UW-Green Bay

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a school of resilient problem solvers who dare to reach higher with the power of education that ignites growth and answers the biggest challenges. Serving 11,519 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students as well as 101,000 continuing education learners annually, UW-Green Bay offers 200 academic degrees, programs, and certificates. Featuring the region’s only Division-1 athletics, The Weidner performing arts center, campus locations in Green Bay, Manitowoc and Sheboygan, and a theatre in Marinette, the University’s access mission welcomes all who want to learn, from every corner of the world. Championing bold thinking since opening its doors in 1965, it is a university on the rise – Wisconsin’s fastest growing UW. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.