UWM Interim Chancellor Michael R. Lovell
UWM Interim Chancellor Michael R. Lovell
As I am sure many of you know, Chancellor Carlos E. Santiago has left UWM to become the chief executive officer of the Hispanic College Fund in Washington, DC . Whenever a chancellor leaves UWM, a replacement process that is several months long takes place. To run the university during those months, an interim chancellor is named. That person is me.
I came to UWM from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 to serve as the dean for the College of Engineering and Applied Science. At that time, I welcomed the challenge of leading and expanding the college. I believed that it held immense potential for this university and for Milwaukee , particularly by focusing on strategic partners and creating unique opportunities for our faculty and students.
Since I became the interim chancellor in early October, I have been asked frequently about my plans for UWM. My response has been to keep the university headed in the exact same direction as it has been for the past several years.
During those years, UWM has done an incredible amount of fund-raising for scholarships and recruiting throughout Milwaukee communities. As a result, we are consistently increasing the amount of financial assistance available and steadily enrolling more students of color.
We also fully intend to continue to push forward the UWMilwaukee Initiative and the $240 million commitment that the State of Wisconsin has made to future of our university and Greater Milwaukee. That means you can expect to see planning continue to move forward for the:
Kenwood Integrated Research Complex construction on our campus, Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital acquisition next to our campus, Public, Community and Clinical Health Building creation on the site of the former Pabst Brewery in downtown, School of Freshwater Science Building construction on East Greenfield Avenue south of downtown, and Innovation Park formation on the Milwaukee County Grounds.
It is very, very important that we keep these projects moving forward through continued dialogue within our campus community and the University of Wisconsin System , and with our external partners. We must maintain momentum and demonstrate that committing to UWM is a sound investment.
I know one vital source of support for UWM will continue to be the residents of Milwaukee. I look forward to opportunities that allow the university to continue to earn the backing of neighbors and neighborhoods through our partnerships in areas such as health care, education, the arts and economic development.