he state and the university
are celebrating their sesquicentennials, providing us with a natural and instructive context in which to review
the ties between the state of Wisconsin and the great public research university
it founded.
The formal linkage between Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin-Madison dates back to
1848, when the state and the UW were established. On May 29 of that year,
the Wisconsin Territory was granted statehood by the United States Congress. The constitution of this new state provided for the establishment, by law,
of a state university "at or near the seat
of state government."
Less than two months later - 58 days, to be exact - the Wisconsin Legislature on July 26 approved the incorporation of the University of Wisconsin. By statute, the university was to be governed by a 13-member board of regents. The institution was divided into four departments: Science, Literature and the Arts; Law; Medicine; and Theory and Practice of Elementary Instruction. The first class was held February 5, 1849.
I am amazed at the foresight of the early state lawmakers to establish a university in Wisconsin's newly settled wilderness, on the pristine shores of Lake Mendota. With many of the state's settlers straining to reap their livelihoods from the undeveloped land of this frontier territory, the vision of the first Wisconsin Legislature in laying the foundation for UW-Madison is nothing short of exemplary.
In his inaugural address as the university's first chancellor on January 16, 1850, John Hiram Lathrop described a university as "the depository and the almoner of the intellectual treasures of the age."
In this year's annual report, we have chronicled 150 ways that UW-Madison has continued that tradition by contributing to the lives of Wisconsin's citizens. While by no means an exhaustive list, the examples demonstrate how UW-Madison has fulfilled Chancellor Lathrop's heartfelt declaration of what a university should be.
From turning points in our history to discoveries in arts and sciences, from horizons expanded to knowledge advanced, from new perspectives provided to lessons learned, the 150 ways commemorate and praise the richness of the university's legacy.
The items also include tangible examples of what makes UW-Madison such a special place.
In last year's annual report, I shared with you an updated definition of Chancellor Lathrop's vision of a great university. I called it "Your Resource for a Lifetime."
This vision for the future is best expressed through several key priorities that were established as part of an extensive self-evaluation four years ago. Designed to carry the university into the 21st century, the priorities include an emphasis on maintaining our research preeminence; reconceptualizing undergraduate education; joining the global community; and updating The Wisconsin Idea.
Remaining true to our vision, the university continues to make great strides in meeting our goals.
We have refocused our mission as well as reallocated base budget resources. These actions include internally reallocating more than $33 million in the last seven years to fund improvements in instructional technology and distance education, libraries, facilities and international education, as well as the retention and recruitment of key faculty.
We have also restructured operations - including merging and consolidating several departments, divisions and units - and resized the organization so that it is now operating in a more focused and effective manner.
Maintaining our research preeminence continues to be a major focus. In a new pilot strategic initiative, we will hire eight new faculty in such subjects as biotechnology and genetics in the near future, taking advantage of our national strengths in the biological sciences. The $1.5 million necessary to recruit the new positions was recommended this spring by Gov. Tommy Thompson, approved by the Legislature and signed into law in June by the governor as part of his budget adjustment bill.
At the top of my agenda remains enhancing undergraduate education, ensuring that our students are receiving an education that prepares them to fully participate in the global village in the 21st century. A highly visible example of success in this area over the past year is the Chadbourne Residential College. Having just completed its first year, this college-within-a-college has given undergraduates living at Chadbourne Hall the ability to create their own community of learning. As a result, these students now know that some of the most important learning at universities takes place outside the classroom.
Updating The Wisconsin Idea continues to be a top priority. This century-old concept of teaching, research and outreach that extends beyond the walls of the university classroom to the boundaries of the state is renowned. However, it is clear to me that The Wisconsin Idea must be more interactive. Today, the boundaries of our university reach beyond the state to encircle the globe. For the university, updating The Wisconsin Idea means extending, deepening and shifting what our value is to the state, and helping position Wisconsin not only as a major player but also as a leader in the global economy.
In turn, the state must continue to recognize the university's value and impact, and support it at appropriate financial levels. New levels of support are critical in an increasingly competitive higher education environment.
An increased commitment from the state will be linked to the university's pledge to generate funding from endowments from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, the University of Wisconsin Foundation and others to provide the margin of excellence in its budget - to keep the university among the best in the world for years to come.
Remaining the best guarantees that UW-Madison students will continue to be among the best educated in the country, and that their diplomas will stay highly valued across the globe.
Remaining the best will allow the university to recruit and retain the best faculty, each of whom will attract an average of $200,000 in outside funding each year. Many of these professors will develop cutting-edge knowledge and technology that will be transferred to Wisconsin businesses, allowing Wisconsin to maintain its competitiveness in the global economy.
Remaining the best will prepare our children, the future leaders of Wisconsin and the nation, to effectively deal with the challenges that will face our state in the next century.
 A summer night on campus, with the State Capitol dome nearby. |
Although Wisconsin is a state with a small population and comparatively limited wealth, I believe it can continue to sustain a premier, comprehensive university with a global niche. And I believe the citizens of the state support us in our effort to preserve our place among the leading research universities worldwide. With this support, we will be able to maintain the same national and international presence in the 21st century as we have had in this century.
We have made significant progress with our strategic priorities, using them as a constant guide for our exciting journey into the next century. You will see evidence of this progress in a sampling of the year's accomplishments noted on pages 7 and 8.
However, we have no intention of resting on these accomplishments. Indeed, we have much to discuss and much to decide about our next 150 years. I view the sesquicentennial as a wonderful opportunity to continue a dialogue with policy makers, business and community leaders, and Wisconsin citizens about the future of the university. Only through open and candid discussion can we make progress toward establishing goals, and then agree on how we - together - can achieve those new benchmarks of excellence.
As we prepare to identify the issues and challenges facing UW-Madison, let us gain both guidance and inspiration from those who came before us.
Our past experience reminds us of the original commitment that the state of Wisconsin made to its new university in 1848. And as you read this year's annual report, you will become acquainted with 150 notable and unique ways the university has kept - and is keeping - its promise to the state, through innovative teaching, groundbreaking research and outreach activities for citizens of all ages.
For the state and the university to remain global leaders in the years ahead, we need to employ the same spirit of the early Wisconsin settlers, whose wisdom 150 years ago laid the foundation for a great state university. We owe them nothing less than our continued commitment as UW-Madison enters the next century.
David Ward
Chancellor
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Copyright © 1998 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System