Eleven successful University of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates have been chosen to receive top honors for 2023 by the Alumni Association Board of Directors. In the months leading up to Homecoming—during which they’ll be honored at an on-campus ceremony—we will introduce you to these outstanding alumni. The full list of award winners is available here.
People who meet Marc Nylen are struck by his positive attitude, his work ethic and leadership. Those who have known him over the decades that he’s been at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh are thrilled he is still giving his all every day to his alma mater and its students.
This fall, at the Alumni Awards Celebration, Nylen will be honored with the Alumni Outstanding Service Award, for his exemplary contributions in support of UWO.
Nylen, a double alumnus who earned a bachelor’s degree in 1991 and master’s degree in 1993, serves as associate director of residence life and director of Gruenhagen Conference Center/Residence Life Conference Services at UWO.
The Oshkosh resident has advanced in administration of the department and serves on numerous committees, is active in his community and his Catholic parish community. He supervises conference center staff who provide services for University staff and students and conference attendees from Wisconsin and beyond. Some of the groups include Wisconsin Special Olympics, Badger Girls State, UWO sports camps, Oshkosh Placement Exchange and thousands of EAA AirVenture guests who fill campus residence halls.
Nylen’s wife, Amy, said the couple met as students on the UWO campus and remain together 30 years later, the parents of three adult children.
“I believe Marc embodies the essence of being an alumnus, and each and every day shares his passion, enthusiasm, dedication and pride of being a Titan with everyone he meets,” she said. “As anyone who knows Marc understands, being a Titan alumnus is part of his identity.”
Amy Nylen said her husband wears Titan clothing “almost every day,” takes business cards wherever he goes and takes every opportunity to stay in close, ongoing contact with fellow alumni and welcomes them back to campus for sporting events, concerts, Homecoming weekend, Shamrock Shuffle and numerous other activities.
“He does this because he wants these fellow alumni to feel as welcomed, connected and passionate about UW Oshkosh as he has been,” she said.
James Chitwood, dean of students emeritus, who worked with Nylen for 10 years and supervised him for five, said he was an easy staff member to supervise.
“Marc was always eager to do good work and was a great teammate with the other senior housing officials,” Chitwood said.
He and others call Nylen a staff leader in cheerleading for the University—particularly athletics.
For the past number of decades, Nylen, wearing his Titans apparel, has attended numerous home sporting events as well as traveling to other campuses to support the Titans.
“The director of University Books and More smiles whenever Marc walks in Reeve,” Chitwood added.
Looking back, Nylen said he was motivated and inspired by his undergraduate and graduate faculty members who challenged him to perform at the highest academic level— and to step outside his comfort zone.
Nylen said he is proud to be so deeply connected to UWO and considers it to be one of his biggest professional achievements over the past 30 years.
The 2023 Alumni Awards Celebration will be held Oct. 27 at the Culver Family Welcome Center, with a reception at 5 p.m. followed by the dinner and program beginning at 6 p.m. The cost of the event is $40 per person. For more information, contact UWO’s Alumni Relations Office at (920) 424-3449 or alumni@uwosh.edu. Register for the Alumni Awards Celebration here.
Learn more:
- 11 alumni to be honored for their accomplishments at Alumni Awards Celebration
- Theresa Connelly earns Distinguished Alumni Award for leadership and nursing excellence
- UWO alumnus earns Distinguished Alumni Award for outstanding journalism career