Remarks from Greeley Mayor Tom Selders
September 7, 2007 
Board of Trustees, President Norton, Faculty, Alumni, Staff & Students –
I am happy to be here today and be a part of today’s convocation and ceremonies.
The City of Greeley is truly connected to the University of Northern Colorado and the university is an integral part of our community and a significant contributor to our economy. I personally feel very connected the UNC and feel like I have grown up with the University and with its development in the last, almost, 50 years.
I first came to Greeley in 1959. When first here, our family lived at 2228 11th Avenue. We were right across from a corn field that later became the West Campus. I remember well the construction of Bishop-Lehr, Ross Hall, dormitories, and the many other buildings.
My mother began working on the staff of the University shortly after we came here, and she continued to be a part of UNC for more than 25 years.
I attended UNC for one year, but then went on and received my degree from CU Boulder. I am kind of the black sheep of my family, however, as my wife, sister, both my sons and both daughters-in-law are UNC graduates.
Today, I couldn’t be happier and more pleased with the relationship the City of Greeley has with the University. President Norton has reached out to the community and helped us to work together more closely. The University has invested millions of dollars in east Greeley, with new building projects including the Jackson Field renovations, remodeling of existing buildings, establishing new parking areas and many new buildings.
UNC cooperates on an on-going basis with the Downtown Development Authority helping us to keep the core of our community strong and growing.
I am impressed with the efforts being made by the University to work with a diverse student population and to bring students here from other parts of the world. The many awards and the recognition that UNC has received is a tremendous asset to our community.
Thanks, University of Northern Colorado, for helping Greeley to continue to be Great from the Ground Up.
I am excited that today, tomorrow and Sunday will be a special time in Greeley. I am pleased to declare University of Northern Colorado weekend with a proclamation that reads as follows:
University of Northern Colorado Weekend
Proclamation
WHEREAS, in 1889 the governor of Colorado signed the bill creating the State Normal School to train qualified teachers for the state's public schools, Greeley citizens raised the necessary money for the first building, and the cornerstone was laid on June 13, 1890; and
WHEREAS, during its esteemed history, the University of Northern Colorado’s faculty, staff and students have distinguished themselves with national honors and recognition, and have served Colorado and the nation with dedication and compassion; and
WHEREAS, the alumni of the University of Northern Colorado have achieved notable success and made significant contributions to our global society; and
WHEREAS, the University of Northern Colorado has successfully served the needs of more than 126,000 students through its 118 years and contributes approximately $340 million annually to the local economy; and
WHEREAS, the University of Northern Colorado is to be celebrated for more than a century of service to education in Colorado and for excellence resulting in significant contributions to the academic, historical, cultural, and economic well-being of the City of Greeley, as well as the state and the nation; and
WHEREAS, the University of Northern Colorado is celebrating the academic tradition of Fall Convocation on September 7th, 2007, and on September 8th, will kick off its first home football game as an official Division I member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and will play host to Chadron State College as part of the Friends and Family Weekend festivities at Nottingham Field.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, THOMAS E. SELDERS, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Greeley, do hereby proclaim September 7th through 9th, 2007 to be
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO WEEKEND
in the City of Greeley and encourage all citizens to participate in the University of Northern Colorado Convocation and Friends and Family Weekend activities.