MADISON, Wis. – University of Wisconsin-Platteville Chancellor David Markee today announced his plans to retire in August 2009. Markee, one of the longest serving chancellors in the UW System today, has served UW-Platteville in the top leadership post since 1996.
UW System President Kevin P. Reilly praised Markee for his many accomplishments, noting that he has been an invaluable source of experience and wisdom in System deliberations, with a broad vision of the entire UW System and a clear, strong sense of his own institution’s place in it.
“Under Chancellor Markee’s tenure, UW-Platteville has seen tremendous expansion in both student enrollment and improved campus facilities,” Reilly said. “UW-Platteville, in fact, has been the fastest growing of all UW campuses over the past decade, with the student body expanding by an impressive 46 percent since 1998.”
“Chancellor Markee has also left his imprint on the campus itself. A new student center, residence hall, engineering building, and four facilities at Pioneer Farm are just a few of the physical improvements that will be part of Chancellor Markee’s legacy, reflecting his commitment to a high-caliber learning experience for all students,” Reilly said.
Reilly added that Markee’s vision for the campus has had a powerful, far-reaching impact on the Southwest part of the state and the tri-state region. “He has focused on expanding distance education programs, increasing diversity, and improving campus-community connections. He has worked tirelessly to re-establish ties with students and families in the whole tri-state region, and sought international collaborations. Collectively, these efforts have reinvigorated the Pioneer community and made it a hub of learning, research, and economic development,” Reilly said.
Reilly praised Markee’s work with the UW Colleges in establishing collaborative engineering degree programs at both UW-Fox Valley and UW-Rock County. He noted Markee’s successful work with alumni groups and with the UW-Platteville Foundation.
Markee’s support of diversity initiatives are evident in a recent honor bestowed upon the campus by the UW System Board of Regents. UW-Platteville was recognized as the first institutional recipient of the inaugural Regents Diversity Awards for the Master of Science in Education – Adult Education program.
“The results of David’s work and his personal dedication to students epitomize the spirit of UW System’s Growth Agenda for Wisconsin. We’re striving to boost the number of students in higher education, create jobs, and strengthen communities. Success requires strong, effective leadership,” Reilly said.
As one of 11 comprehensive universities within the UW System, the UW-Platteville campus enrolls more than 7,500 students. Leading about 700 faculty, academic staff, and classified staff members, the UW-Platteville chancellor is responsible for an annual budget exceeding $100 million.
Markee earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from UW-Platteville. He is the only chancellor in the UW System currently leading his own alma mater. His immediate prior career included 16 years at Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff as vice president for student services and vice president for institutional advancement.
Reilly announced that UW-Platteville Provost Carol Sue Butts has agreed to serve as interim chancellor upon Markee’s retirement. Dr. Butts has served as Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs since 1998.
Reilly will work with the UW System Board of Regents and the UW-Platteville campus community to begin a search for the new chancellor, aiming to have the new Chancellor take office by summer 2010. The first step in the process is appointing a search and screen committee comprised of faculty, academic staff, classified staff, students, and community representatives. That group will be responsible for initiating the national search and recommending finalists for consideration by Reilly and a special committee of the Board.
Preparing for a smooth transition and continuity of leadership for UW-Platteville and the Pioneer community are our top goals,” Reilly said.