Vol 20. No. 3
Summer 2004

SYSTEMWIDE

A Final Farewell:
Lyall commences to a new stage
—Katharine Lyall goes out in style

Gov. Jim Doyle addresses UW System graduates

Words of Wisdom

A roundup of the best quotes from commencement speakers around the UW System

Regents plan to restore UW partnership with the state

UW System readies for 2005-07 state budget debate
—Rising utility costs continue to impact UW budget

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Katharine Lyall goes out in style

Feted by an audience that included four Wisconsin governors, a half-dozen UW mascots, and 400 friends and admirers, UW System President Katharine C. Lyall was the guest of honor at a very special celebration on Sunday, June 13. The recognition event, supported entirely by private funds and individual donations, was held at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison.

An historic gathering: Governors Scott McCallum, Lee Sherman Dreyfus, Anthony Earl and Jim Doyle wish Katharine well in her retirement.

Current Governor Jim Doyle was joined by First Lady Jessica Doyle and former Governors Lee Sherman Dreyfus, Anthony Earl and Scott McCallum.

Baldwin and Lyall

Sue Ann Thompson, wife of former Governor Tommy Thompson, was also in attendance, as was U. S. Representative Tammy Baldwin. All of them praised Lyall for her leadership, integrity and dedication.

"The UW System is the best public higher education system in the nation and that is testament to the leadership of Katharine Lyall," said Governor Doyle in proclaiming June 13 "Katharine C. Lyall Day" in Wisconsin.

Doyle and Lyall

"She has maintained a steadfast commitment to providing quality teaching and learning experiences for the university’s 160,000 students."

Smith and Lyall

Equal amounts of humor and seriousness laced the evening as co-emcees Donna Shalala (former UW-Madison chancellor, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary and currently president of the University of Miami) and Regent Emeritus Jay Smith teased the president and entertained the audience.

Shalala

Additional presenters included former Governor Dreyfus, UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Rick Wells, former UW-River Falls Chancellor Gary Thibodeau, two students, Natasha Botty of UW-Green Bay and Brett Lipshutz of UW-Milwaukee, who received Katharine C. Lyall scholarships for study-abroad experiences, Regent Guy Gottschalk, who presented the gift of a Dale Chihuly glass sculpture on behalf of his fellow Regents, and Regent President Toby Marcovich, who awarded Lyall the UW System President’s Medal.

Katharine bids a fond farewell.

Ever humble and self-effacing, President Lyall told the audience that she was fortunate to have served with a group of outstanding Regents, strong UW chancellors and dedicated UW administration staff. She thanked everyone for all their help and support throughout her tenure as president, but reminded the audience that the challenge for Wisconsin, and the nation, is to "re-think the role of a public university."

Lyall and friends ended the evening with a bang – a fireworks display over Lake Monona.

(Left) UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Rick Wells

(Center) Lyall enjoys a moment with Gov. Tony Earl and former DOA Secretary Doris Hanson at the June 13 event.

(Right) Regent President Toby Marcovich

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