MADISON — University of Wisconsin System President Kevin P. Reilly has appointed a 17-member search-and-screen committee to identify a chancellor to serve at UW-La Crosse.
The committee will be chaired by Carmen Wilson, UW-La Crosse associate professor of psychology. She will be joined by eight other faculty members, two academic staff members, two students, two university administrators, and two community members.
“It’s no secret that there is growing demand for the education and contributions that UW-La Crosse provides to students and the community,” Reilly said. “The next chancellor will have the opportunity to lead and strengthen this ambitious campus as it enters a new era of outstanding teaching, cutting-edge research, and responsive public service. Finding the right leader for UW-La Crosse certainly presents this committee with a challenge, but I am confident that the members are more than equal to the task.”
The committee will begin its work this spring and continue into the academic year. It is expected to recommend at least five candidates for the permanent post.
Dr. Elizabeth Hitch will fill the position of chancellor at UW-La Crosse on an interim basis upon the departure of Chancellor Doug Hastad. He has announced that he will become president of Carroll College in Waukesha in July.
“UW-La Crosse consistently ranks among the top public comprehensive universities in the Midwest,” said committee chair Carmen Wilson. “The new Chancellor will need to be a strong, creative leader who can maintain our reputation of excellence, especially in these times of declining state funding for higher education.
“Finding the best person for the position will be challenging,” continued Wilson, “but UW System has appointed an excellent committee that represents the campus’s diverse constituencies and perspectives. I am confident the committee members will work well together and be successful in this challenging task.”
The UW System President and a special committee of the UW System Board of Regents will conduct final interviews and make a recommendation to the full board. Members of the UW-La Crosse Chancellor Search and Screen Committee are:
Faculty: William Clow, professor, theatre arts; Jon Davies, associate professor, educational studies; Sandra Grunwald, associate professor, chemistry; Roger Haro, professor, biology & River Studies Center; Jearold Holland, associate professor, recreation management and therapeutic recreation; Bruce Riley, professor, mathematics; Jodi Vandenberg-Daves, associate professor, history and women’s, gender, & sexuality studies; Gary Walth, professor, music; Carmen Wilson, professor, psychology (Search & Screen Committee Chair).
Academic Staff: Kathy Kiefer, associate director, admissions; Katie Van Roosenbeek, director, National Youth Sports Program/Gang Resistance Education and Training program.
Administrators: Jan Gallagher, director, Small Business Development Center; Ruth Anderson, assistant vice president of administrative services, UW System.
Community Representatives: Rusty Cunningham, publisher, La Crosse Tribune; Dirk Gasterland, Chairman of the Board, Coulee Bank.
Students: A.J. Clauss, Ryan A. VanLoo.
Reilly appointed the committee after consultation with the university faculty and staff, community members, regents and others. The Special Regent Committee for the UW-La Crosse Chancellor Search is chaired by Regent Brent Smith of La Crosse. He will be joined by Judith Crain of Green Bay, Thomas Loftus of Sun Prairie, and Jesus Salas of Milwaukee.
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Note to News Media
President Reilly and Regent Smith will meet with the UW-La Crosse chancellor search-and-screen committee on Wednesday, April 19, at 10 a.m. in the Port O’ Call room in the Gunning addition of the Cartwright Center on the UW-La Crosse campus. The committee will receive its charge and discuss the process. There will also be a review of the position description and an opportunity for committee members to ask questions. This is an open meeting.