John Torphy, University of Wisconsin’s vice chancellor for administration, announced Tuesday he would retire at the end of this academic year.

Secretary of the faculty David Muslos, who is working with the search and screen committee responsible for identifying candidates to take over the position, said Torphy’s expertise will be missed.

With a long history of work in state government, Torphy was an excellent asset to the administration, Muslos said.

“It’s too bad he’s leaving the position,” said Muslos. “He has so many of the characteristics you would associate with someone in that high of a position.”

Muslos identified Torphy’s leadership in the state and his tremendous amount of experience as two of his greatest strengths.

“He has a broad and comprehensive understanding of state government and of the university, he has management experience and he has a great sense of humor,” Muslos said.

Torphy said the greatest strengths he brings to the job are his experience and new perspectives.

“First, I understand the way things work at the other end of State Street,” Torphy said. “I hope that through the years, I have also brought fresh ideas and insight to the job which have made the program here better.”

The most important skills the new vice chancellor for administration should have are interpersonal skills and an encouraging nature, Torphy said.

“In this job, you need to be able to communicate,” said Torphy. “I always describe the university as a city of 60,000 diverse people that you have to be able to communicate with.”

He also said it’s essential to recognize and encourage the talents of the other people in the office in order to increase the strength of the team as a whole.

Muslos said the things he will miss most about Torphy are his ability to “tell things the way they really are” and his sense of humor.

“He can add levity to tough situations, but still move the agenda forward and accomplish what needs to be done,” Muslos said.

Torphy said his plans for retirement include reading all the books he hasn’t had time to read in the last 30 years of working for the university and state government.

“It’s true that I don’t use computers except for email and reserving books I want to read at the library,” Torphy said.

“What really fascinates me is the learning contained in books, all the things I want to know that I haven’t had time to find out yet.”