FRANK SHANKWITZ

DE PERE, Wis. — Frank Shankwitz, co-founder and first president of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and St. Norbert College’s commencement speaker, will have several public events at St. Norbert College beginning this weekend.

These events are free and open to the public:

— “How a Worldwide Charity Grew from a Young Boy’s Wish,” 7 p.m. today in Walter Theatre, St. Norbert College.

— TitleTown Publishing author book-signing, featuring three-time Super Bowl champion Harry Sydney, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Norbert College Bookstore in Todd Wehr Hall.

— “Faith in Action: A Reflection on Servant Leadership,” 7 p.m. Monday at Old St. Joe’s Church, St. Norbert College.

— FRANK “Kindness, SHANKWITZ Close Calls and the Magic of Making Wishes Come True,” 7 p.m. Tuesday at Walter Theatre, St. Norbert College.

In 1980, Shankwitz, along with his wife, Kitty, and several others, founded the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Thirty-nine years later, Make-A-Wish grants wishes through 62 chapters throughout the United States and operates in 45 other countries around the world.

Since its founding, the non-profit foundation has granted approximately 480,000 wishes to children worldwide.

Make-A-Wish granted 15,600 wishes last year alone — on average, one every 34 minutes.

Shankwitz is a notable public speaker and was recognized as the No. 1 keynote speaker in 2016 by Forbes Magazine. He is the author of two books, “Wish Man” and “Once Upon A Wish.”

A major motion picture, “Wish Man,” based on Shankwitz’s books and life, has been filmed and will be released in June.

The St. Norbert spring commencement ceremony will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the Mulva Family Fitness and Sports Center.