Brad Spanbauer, director of sustainability at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (UWO), has been named a recipient of the 2025 UWO Distinguished Alumni Award. Spanbauer, who began his studies at UWO in 2007 with plans to transfer after two years, changed direction after discovering an interest in ecology and environmental studies.
Spanbauer graduated from UWO in 2011 with a biology degree and later returned for a master’s in the same field. He now leads the university’s sustainability initiatives and was elected to the Oshkosh Common Council in April.
“It is a rewarding feeling to be recognized as the local resident sustainability expert because it epitomizes the excellent education I’ve received from the world-class faculty we have at UWO, and the opportunities I have been afforded to help make an impact in this community and beyond,” Spanbauer said.
As director of sustainability, Spanbauer has played a key role in helping UW-Oshkosh reduce utility costs by over $754,000 during fiscal year 2025. He secured one of three $10,000 national grants for climate action planning in 2022, guided UWO to earn the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Award that same year, maintained Tree Campus USA status for 14 consecutive years, led efforts resulting in coal-free status since 2020, and helped sustain STARS ratings for more than ten years.
Stewart Cole, acting director of Environmental Studies at UWO, said about Spanbauer: “I know from student feedback that Brad inspires students because he lets them know that problems can be solved, so that in encountering him, students come away empowered rather than inclined towards pessimism or despair…that Brad conveys this as someone who actually went to UW-Oshkosh makes the message all the more powerful.”
Spanbauer’s work extends into academics where he stepped up to teach courses such as Introduction to Sustainability during departmental staffing shortages and co-taught senior seminars involving real-world projects with support from national organizations. He also supervises interns within the Sustainability Office.
“He has been an excellent boss, mentor, and friend,” said Dylan Stone, a student intern. Meredith Agnew added she learned “how to be a leader, changemaker and collaborator” under his guidance.
Spanbauer’s responsibilities reach beyond campus boundaries. In city government he serves on Oshkosh’s Sustainability Advisory Board—contributing to municipal planning and policy development—and assisted Oshkosh’s entry into the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition. At state level he participates in working groups on climate action and utility systems; other universities often consult him on energy systems planning.
Hayden Hendersen from Universities of Wisconsin described Spanbauer as “an active energy manager, a professor, a planner, an investigator…From getting grants to working closely with students, Brad uses every tool to advance his work and…educate and advance the work of others.”
His public outreach includes delivering talks such as his TEDxOshkosh presentation “A World Without Elephants.” Throughout his career he has remained connected with former mentors at UWO who now serve alongside him as colleagues.
“I hope they see what they instilled in me and what I can give back to their students now that we work together everyday: a profound understanding and appreciation for nature; the importance of sustainability to every aspect of our lives on this planet…” Spanbauer said.
The University will honor eleven alumni during Homecoming weekend this October—including five Distinguished Alumni Award recipients—at an event scheduled for Friday Oct. 17 at Culver Family Welcome Center. More information about tickets or event details is available through UWO Alumni Relations by phone or email.
