Green Bay Reporter

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will host its annual Alumni Awards dinner on March 27, 2025. The event, held in the Phoenix Rooms at the University Union, will honor distinguished alumni and other individuals who have made significant contributions to the university and their communities.

This year's Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are Randy Charles ’87 and Wendy Wimmer ’97. Randy Charles co-founded Port City Bakery in 1989, known for its trade name AK Pizza Crust. He became president in 1991 and CEO in 2011. "AK makes custom pizza crust for pizza assemblers, restaurant chains, and foodservice distributors throughout North America," according to the release. Charles has been involved with several community organizations including The Altrusa House and Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay.

Wendy Wimmer graduated from UW-Green Bay with a degree in English in 1997 and later earned a Ph.D. from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. She is recognized as an award-winning creative writer whose debut short story collection “Entry Level: Stories” received notable praise from publications like Publisher’s Weekly.

The Outstanding Recent Alumni Awards will be given to April Garza-Leon ’14 and Jose L. Villa ‘16. Garza-Leon is noted for her role as Manager of Nursing Education at Aurora BayCare Medical Center and her involvement with various community organizations including CASA Alba Melanie.

Jose L. Villa is Vice President of Commercial Lending at Fox Communities Credit Union, where he manages a portfolio of commercial loans while supporting community initiatives through various recognitions such as being named a Future15 Young Professional by Current Young Professionals.

Larry and Kathy Treankler will receive an Honorary Alumni Award for their ongoing support of UW-Green Bay through their businesses and philanthropic efforts within Green Bay Athletics programs. They have contributed to numerous projects including Aldo Santaga Stadium renovations and leadership initiatives for student-athletes.

Tickets for the event are available for purchase at $30 each through UW-Green Bay Alumni Awards, with more information accessible via contact details provided by the university's alumni office.