To the University Community,

In March, I announced that I would retire at the beginning of August, 2009. It truly has been our privilege — I speak for Lou Ann and myself — to serve our alma mater.

As I think about our time here and my time as Chancellor, I wonder, “Thirteen years … where has the time gone?” I can remember August of 1996 and my appointment as the 13th chief executive officer/Chancellor at UW-Platteville. In many ways it seems like only yesterday.

I am very proud of TEAM UW-P and the TEAM’s accomplishments during the past 13 years. It is through working together — faculty, staff, students, alumni and community — that this campus has grown and developed. It is through the TEAM’s creativity and innovation that UW-P has developed initiatives that distinguish us from other universities, in the region and beyond.

We have put significant effort into growing enrollment. In fact, our total student body has grown by 44 percent over the last 13 years. Many things have led to this increase. Firstly, new academic programs and a differential tuition program to build regional workforce and provide an affordable and accessible option to Iowa and Illinois students support for our multi-cultural education resource center. Also, its programs to attract a diverse student body; plus the development of fully online master’s and bachelor’s degree programs. Lastly, the development of collaborative programs with the UW Colleges that enable us to offer degree programs in locations outside of Platteville.

Together we have also improved our physical facilities. With revenue support from state taxes, student fees, auxiliary funds and private gifts, facilities have been built – the Children’s Center, the Greenhouse Complex, Pioneer Student Center, Southwest Hall, Engineering Hall and four buildings at Pioneer Farm – the Swine Center, Ag Technology Center, Cooper Living & Learning Center and the Dairy Center We have also completed significant renovations and additions to campus buildings including Russell Hall, Ullrich Hall, Ullsvik Hall and the Art Building.

New academic programs focused on the needs of the 21st Century and beyond have been developed.
Undergraduates at UW-P can study forensic investigation, software engineering, engineering physics, nanotechnology and micro-electro-mechanical systems, renewable resources sustainability, horticulture, teaching English as a second or other language, and social and environmental justice.

Graduate students have access to programs in criminal justice, project management and engineering.

The TEAM — faculty, staff, students and alumni — have worked together to make this Pioneer University the special place that it is. There is a can-do attitude at UW-P. It’s a part of the fabric of this university. A can-do attitude built our giant “M” mound, a can-do attitude brought the Mining School and Teacher’s College together and a can-do attitude will carry this university through budget and economic challenges to a spectacular 150th celebration in 2016.

In closing, it’s hard for me to express the extreme pride I have in the students at this University.
In the classroom and through participation in organizations and activities, valuable skills are developed and refined; these will lead us to success in the 21st Century. I have no doubt that our Pioneer traditions will thrive.