NEWS
UW names interim dean of continuing education
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Pedro Oliveira Jr.:
- Research finds rapid evolution (December 13, 2007)
- CAN criticizes Horowitz funding call (December 13, 2007)
- Enough already: More snow hits area (December 12, 2007)
- Security bills rile UW GOP group (December 11, 2007)
- Students want to aid Iraqi scholars (December 11, 2007)
Related Stories:
- La Crosse in search of chancellor (October 23, 2006)
- La Crosse expects new chancellor announcement today (November 3, 2006)
- Merger nears finish line (October 28, 2005)
- Long-time dean plans retirement (September 25, 2006)
- Sapiro settles into Interim Provost title (October 31, 2005)
by Pedro Oliveira Jr.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
After months of unfruitful searching, the University of Wisconsin named an interim vice provost for lifelong learning and dean of the Division of Continuing Studies Monday.
UW-Extension Provost and Vice Chancellor Marv Van Kekerix was hired under a provisional one-to two-year contract until UW hires a permanent candidate for the position.
"I was aware of the fact that the search was ongoing, and when it became clear that the Madison campus was not going to be able to come to an agreement with their top candidate, I was approached by the chancellor, and then Provost Farrell, on whether I would be interested in accepting this position on an interim basis," Van Kekerix said.
UW Provost Pat Farrell said the DCS' responsibilities require an individual who has experience in nontraditional learning and what challenges those students compared to regular students who attend class on one of the UW campuses.
As an interim dean, Van Kekerix will work with DCS faculty and staff to develop plans for the division's next five years in order to make UW-Madison faculty and staff more widely available to nontraditional students of all ages. He will also be responsible for managing the relationship between UW-Extension and the UW campus, specifically UW-Madison.
"[The job] includes knowing what the students are like and having a good idea on how to best educate them," Farrell said.
After completing his duty, Van Kekerix will most likely retire. He has worked in the UW system since 1993, first at UW-Stevens Point and then at UW-Extension.
"[Returning] is really not an interest of mine," he said. "Essentially what I was interested in doing was taking it on for a shorter period of time."
Farrell said the original candidate for the position decided to stay where he currently is employed.
Having Van Kekerix in place would allow the provost and Chancellor John Wiley to look for a candidate with a looser deadline. Farrell and Wiley expect to begin looking for a permanent candidate in 2008.
Van Kekerix's salary will be $180,000 and he is expected to begin his contract on Feb. 1, 2008.
Add a comment
We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.
Login...
Not registered? Sign up now.
It's quick, free, and the email address you provide will not be sold or solicited.

