MADISON – UW System President Katharine C. Lyall announced Wednesday that retired UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Larry Schnack is being honored for his decades of service to higher education and the State of Wisconsin with the title of “chancellor emeritus.”
“The history of higher education in Wisconsin deserves a chapter on Larry Schnack,” Lyall said. “From professor to chancellor, and at every step in between, his focus was on students and improving the quality of undergraduate education and research opportunities.
“I’m sure that UW-Eau Claire alumni numbering in the tens of thousands join me in congratulating Dr. Schnack and thanking him for his service,” Lyall said.
Chancellor Emeritus Schnack retired Jan. 8 after a 32-year career on the UW-Eau Claire campus, culminating in a 13-year tenure as the institution’s chief executive officer. He began his work on the campus in 1965 after earning the doctorate in organic chemistry from Iowa State University, and taught courses in general and organic chemistry in addition to developing computer applications for chemistry.
In 1970 he was appointed assistant to the vice president to coordinate academic support service areas and curricular development planning, followed by a term as assistant vice chancellor (1975-81), acting vice chancellor (1982-83), assistant vice chancellor (1983-84,) and acting chancellor (1984-85). The Board of Regents appointed him chancellor in 1985.
A Board of Regents resolution honoring the chancellor’s contributions noted his successes in “building an academic curriculum that has received national recognition” and his “significant contributions to regional economic development and the quality of life in the Eau Claire region.”
“The meaning of ’emeritus’ is ‘to earn by service’,” Lyall said. “Chancellor Emeritus Schnack is extraordinarily deserving of this title, and he honors the University of Wisconsin System by accepting it.”
The emeritus title is conferred in recognition of substantial service to the university and is awarded as an expression of respect and appreciation. While no longer active employees of the university, administrators and faculty with the title of emeritus may and often do take part in a variety of university affairs. They often serve in an advisory capacity, usually informally.
Contact:
Peter D. Fox
(608) 262-6448