When Chancellor David Markee retires this summer, members of the administration say he will leave a mark on UW-Platteville. Upon hearing of his retirement, several prominent members of the campus community shared their thoughts on his time at the top.

One dean who believes Markee has had a big impact on Platteville is the dean of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture, Duane Ford. Ford said that Markee has brought growth to the university. During his time, the number of undergraduate and graduate enrollments has increased. Markee has also helped to improve the reputation of Platteville as an academic institution.

“Markee has great personal skills and character that enable him to be successful,” Ford said.

Ford says Markee has a long list of accomplishments at Platteville, but his greatest might be the Tri-State Initiative Program which allows students from Illinois and Iowa to pay in-state tuition rates, thus greatly increasing enrollement.

Under Markee’s leadership, there have been major improvements to many campus facilities. Other acheivements include the building of the new Pioneer Student Center and Engineering Hall; the renovation of Ullsvik, Ullrich Hall and the Art Building; and improvements to the university farm. Ford believes that Markee has been a great chancellor and won’t be easy to replace.

Dean of the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science, Rich Schultz also believes Markee has done a lot for the university.

“Markee has led with vision, energy and enthusiasm,” Schultz said.

Schultz said what made Markee a great chancellor was his ability to see into the future. Because of this, Schultz said, when Markee steps down this summer the university will be prepared for the next decade.

Provost Carol Sue Butts who has worked with Chancellor Markee believes he has had a tremendous impact on the university. Butts mentioned four things that made Markee a great chancellor: his vision, his entrepreneurship, his ability to view problems as opportunities and his positive thinking.

“He takes a problem and asks, ‘how can we turn this into an opportunity,’” Butts said.

Those interviewed said when Markee leaves this summer, he will leave a lasting impression.