It may not take long for UW-Green Bay students to find their way around campus, but learning the names of the campus’s buildings is about to get a lot harder.
Chancellor Thomas Harden and the Council of Trustees announced new initiative Oct. 1 to change the names of all the buildings on campus. The buildings will all be renamed after family members of Dr. David A. Cofrin, a generous, longtime supporter of UWGB.
The decision by Chancellor Harden and the council comes after a recent $10 million donation from the family in remembrance of the late philanthropist.
Two buildings on campus already carry the Cofrin namesake; the David A. Cofrin Library and Mary Ann Cofrin Hall, named after Dr. Cofrin’s wife.
Harden said changing the name of some buildings was not a hard decision.
“Naming all the buildings after Cofrin family members shows our gratitude to this family that has always supported UW-Green Bay,” Harden said. “We couldn’t be happier to honor and preserve the Cofrin legacy on our university’s campus.”
One standout among the new names is that of L.G. Wood Hall. It will be renamed Austin E. Cofrin Hall, in honor of the father of Dr. David A. Cofrin.
“Wood Hall was an easy decision,” Harden said. “We figured since it already houses the College of Business, it may as well take its name too.”
The College of Business was named after Austin E. Cofrin in 2010 to exemplify Cofrin’s entrepreneurial ethic. In the span of 60 years, he turned his small Green Bay paper business, Fort Howard Paper Co., into a worldwide industry leader.
The Environmental Sciences Building will take on the name of John P. Cofrin, brother of Dr. David A. Cofrin and son of Austin E. Cofrin. Harden said it was only fitting the Environmental Science building be dedicated to the man for whom the Cofrin Memorial Arboretum was named.
But then, there are some buildings that have taken to honoring obscure Cofrin family members.
For example, Facilities Management will now be known as the Arnold W. Cofrin Facilities Management Building, named after Dr. David A. Cofrin’s second cousin, a former high school janitor.
And in a very surprising move, all residence halls will take on the name of Rex C. Cofrin, great-grandson of Dr. David A. Cofrin and current freshman at UWGB.
Rex C. Cofrin said having a building named after him was always his dream.
“Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted my name on a building, just like all my relatives,” Rex C. Cofrin said. “But now I get the best deal out of everyone. I get my name on like 20 buildings. Look at me now, Dad!”
Rex C. Cofrin may be one of very few students excited about the name changes. Many students have expressed outrage over the rebranding, calling it unnecessary and a waste of money.
“They should just name it Cofrin University,” said Jules McAvoy, sophomore history major. “This is not how a university should show its appreciation. Can’t we just put up a statue or something?”
Other students have found the changes frustrating.
“It took me a whole year to finally know where I’m going on campus,” said Parker Burkolski, junior art major. “Now I’m going to be confused all over again.”
Despite student protest, Harden said plans are in full motion.
“Changes will go into effect in 2013,” Harden said. “We couldn’t be more excited.”
A full list of name changes will be released next week.