Sandy Wilcox is doing his best to remain upbeat. Yet the longtime president of the University of Wisconsin Foundation -- a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation that is the official fundraising arm for UW-Madison -- realizes there is no good way to sugarcoat the current global financial and economic crisis and the impact it's having on his organization. For the calendar year, Wilcox said the UW Foundation's endowment fund, which ended 2007 at $1.77 billion, has dropped about 22 percent -- or roughly $390 million, to $1.38 billion...
Seven University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty members have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science...
A major remodeling project at UW-Stout will cost less than estimated. Remodeling the second floor of the Merle M. Price Commons, the main dining facility for the residence halls on the southern end of campus, was estimated to cost $2.8 million. However, the state of Wisconsin has awarded five construction contracts totaling $2.55 million. In addition, about $900,000 will be spend for new kitchen equipment...
A University of Wisconsin-Madison engineer has been honored with the country's highest honor for scientists at the beginning of their research careers, the UW announced. Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Professor Zhenqiang (Jack) Ma was among 67 researchers honored with a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers at a White House ceremony on Dec. 19...
UW-Madison's winter commencement ceremonies have passed, but one student's speech has generated continuing controversy for giving parents and families a little too much detail about what their graduates may have been doing over the past four or more years. UW-Madison graduate Savannah Ziegelbauer spoke on behalf of graduates at the 10 a.m. ceremony Sunday. While her speech's focus was on three campus landmarks that symbolized the growth and achievements of graduates, it also made eight references to drinking or partying -- including four in the first 30 seconds -- which caused offense for some faculty and audience members...
...The placement of the billboard advertising Herzing College near a competitor's turf was no accident, said President Donald Madelung. The for-profit college wants to attract the same type of student who might typically attend MATC, making the case that it can help students change careers or retool skills just as well as the technical college. The number of career colleges, like Herzing, increased by about 50 percent in Wisconsin in the past 10 years...
