Dear Members of the University Community:
I am writing to let you know that Phyllis Wise, our UW provost and executive vice president, has been selected as the next chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, beginning in October. This is a great tribute to Dr. Wise’s leadership capabilities and to her remarkable success at the UW. She has been a wonderful provost and executive vice president and leaves behind a trail of accomplishment, especially in shepherding the University through very difficult financial times and in establishing the College of the Environment. She did an exceptional job this past year as interim president, enabling me to inherit a university that is lean, energetic, and ready to engage the challenges of the next decade. We are all deeply indebted to her, and though we hate to lose her, we wish her the very best success as she assumes her leadership role at Illinois.
Little did I anticipate that my first appointment would be a new provost and executive vice president. Before Provost Wise leaves, of course, I will be appointing an interim provost and will then commence a national search for her successor. As soon as I have progress to report on both counts, I will do so. In the meantime, please join me in thanking Dr. Wise for her work here and in wishing her all the very best at Illinois.
Sincerely yours,
Michael K. Young