A rededication ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 17, for the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s waterfront conference center.

The center will be renamed the Culver Family Welcome Center—showing alumnus Craig Culver’s support of the 22,000-square-foot facility.

“My time at UW Oshkosh was a very special period of my life and I look back fondly on those days. I’m excited to stay connected to my alma mater through the Culver Family Welcome Center,” said Culver ’73, who dedicated $2 million over the next four years to the building in exchange for naming rights.

Culver, who studied biology while attending UW Oshkosh, is the co-founder, board chairman and brand ambassador for Culver Franchising System. Over the years, Culver has been supportive of many UW Oshkosh endeavors and initiatives.

“Thanks to the incredible journey and generosity of Craig Culver, UW Oshkosh has been able to help launch innovative entrepreneurs, graduate immediately successful business people, sustain champion student-athletes and enrich the scholarship and experiences of countless University community members,” UW Oshkosh Chancellor Andrew Leavitt said. “It seems only fitting that the Culver Family Welcome Center—a campus-community crossroads and haven for retreats, conferences, celebrations, fundraisers and showcases of student excellence—bear the name of one of this University’s most successful and selfless Titans.”

The center opened its doors in 2014 along Oshkosh’s Fox River on the corner of Wisconsin Street and Pearl Avenue. The facility offers a 500-person ballroom with picturesque, floor-to-ceiling windows, a 38-person executive board room with state-of-the art technology, an outside patio with gas fire pit, onsite catering, hearing loop technology, ample free parking and more.

Beyond its ability to host events and roll out the welcome mat for alumni, current and potential students, faculty and staff and community visitors, the state-of-the-art facility has also helped in the transformation of Oshkosh’s downtown riverfront.

The rededication ceremony will offer remarks from Culver, UW System President Ray Cross, Leavitt and UW Oshkosh Foundation President Tim Mulloy ’76.

On May 18—commencement day at UW Oshkosh—Culver will deliver the commencement address during the 2 p.m. ceremony at Kolf Sports Center. In 2006, Culver was the recipient of an honorary doctorate from UW Oshkosh at commencement.