MADISON – Linda L. Weimer, who has held senior public affairs positions at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has been named Vice President for University Relations for the University of Wisconsin System, effective February 1, 2000.
In her new position, Weimer will be responsible for coordinating external relations including government relations, communications and public information for the UW System Administration and the Board of Regents, leading a 12-member university relations staff and working with the 15 institutions in the UW System.
“Linda’s leadership will be critical as we develop new policy initiatives to carry the UW System into the next century,” said UW System President Katharine C. Lyall. “We were looking for someone with her national credentials and considerable communications skills, and are fortunate she has decided to return to Wisconsin to accept this position,” said Lyall.
Earlier this year, Weimer served as acting vice president of communication for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), a national organization for university relations professionals, based in Washington, D.C. She has served in numerous leadership capacities for CASE, including membership on its executive committee, board of trustees, and chair of the national commission on communications.
She was assistant vice chancellor-public affairs, for the University of California, Berkeley, from 1992-98. In that position she directed a 40-person unit responsible for communications, media relations, visitor services, government relations, special events and parent relations.
In 1998, on special assignment for the University of California System, Weimer helped to coordinate a successful statewide public education effort that resulted in the passage of a $9.2 billion bond measure for K-12 and higher education facilities, which is providing $840 million to the 10-campus UC System over a four-year period.
Previously, Weimer served as director of university relations at UW-Madison (1989-92), and as director of the UW-Madison University News and Information Service (1983-90). There, she founded Wisconsin Week, a newspaper for faculty and staff of the UW-Madison. She also played an active role in the Madison community as a member of the Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau Board, president of the Friends of WHA-TV and chair of the Dane County Tourism Task Force.
From 1973-83 she was assistant director and communications coordinator of the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute (1973-83) which promoted awareness of Great Lakes issues and involved working with faculty and students from UW campuses throughout the state.
Weimer said she is delighted at the prospect of returning to Wisconsin and working for one of the most respected university systems in the world.
“The deep commitment of Wisconsin’s universities to serving the state has been a model for other public universities. I look forward to working to enrich those efforts and to helping further the goals of the Regents, President Lyall and the individual campuses on behalf of the people of the state,” she said.
Weimer’s academic background includes an M.S. degree in zoology from UW-Madison, and a B.A. degree in biology from Cedar Crest College, Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Weimer will report directly to President Lyall. The salary for the position will be $125,000.
Weimer will succeed Margaret Lewis, who has served as acting vice president for university relations since 1997. “I extend my gratitude and thanks to Margaret for her leadership these past two years,” said Lyall.
David Olien, UW System senior vice president for administration, previously held the vice president-university relations position from 1993-1997.
Contact:
Sharyn Wisniewski
(608) 262-6448