2010 Alma Mater Award

Wayne Lubner '71

There is no question that Wayne Lubner is an outstanding St. Norbert College alumnus and a tremendous blessing to the Green Bay community. The facts speak for themselves: He is an accomplished businessman, having worked for 36 years in a variety of leadership roles for Schneider National, and he is a servant to the community, having volunteered tirelessly on behalf of numerous organizations, including St. Norbert College. What the data doesn’t show is the personal impact he’s had on people. And that may be his most notable accomplishment of all.

Wayne graduated from St. Norbert College in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He then served two years in Vietnam as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Upon his return, he married his college sweetheart, Terese (Emer) Lubner ’74, and began work at Schneider National. Wayne became a trusted leader during his many years with the company, serving as a senior-level operations and human resource executive. He furthered his education by earning his MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1979. St. Norbert College recognized Wayne for his professional accomplishments in 1989 with its Distinguished Award in Business.

Wayne is known for his generosity, optimism and sense of humor. He has a passion (and now his own consulting business) for helping people grow and develop in whatever field or endeavor they choose. James Van Hefty ’84 took a job with Schneider National because of Wayne, whom he views as an icon in the transportation business. He never regretted the decision. He said: “Not only did Wayne teach so many of us about the transportation industry, he exemplified what it means to truly care about others. Wayne is a ‘do as I say and as I do’ kind of leader . . . Hands down, Wayne has been the best leader that I have had the privilege to work with over the past 26 years.”

Wayne has always given generously of his time and talent. He has volunteered a total of 35 years on the boards of the following organizations: St. Norbert National Alumni Board, United Way, Hmong Association of Green Bay, Cerebral Palsy, Inc. and the YMCA. For many of these groups, Wayne served one or more terms as board president. Steve Harty, President/CEO of the Greater Green Bay YMCA, said: “Wayne is a natural leader who inspires confidence and enthusiasm in everyone fortunate enough to be part of his team. His passion and dedication to support those less fortunate in our community is unsurpassed.”

Wayne is highly respected by his St. Norbert College counterparts; his input and leadership skills are valued and often sought out. He is chairman of selection committee for the William E. Dargan Fellowship and remains involved in the college’s capital campaigns. Ed Sturzl ’71, long-time friend and college trustee, says, “Wayne exemplifies communio to its fullest; he has open dialogue with everyone he meets, communicates with people over long periods, consults and collaborates with everyone.” According to Sturzl, head football coach Howard Kolstad would say of Wayne, “He’s a man, he’s a man, he’s a real St. Norbert man!”