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Resolution of Commendation for Jay L. Smith
University of Wisconsin Board of Regents
June 7, 2002WHEREAS, Jay L. Smith has benefited the citizens of Wisconsin with distinguished leadership during his two-year term as president of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents; and
WHEREAS, under his leadership, the UW System has earned an increase in state GPR support and the best capital budget in many years, despite the state's extreme fiscal problems; and
WHEREAS, Regent Smith has instituted annual Regent planning sessions that have helped focus the energies of the board and UW System staff on key issues including building the UW's resource base, economic development and quality education; and
WHEREAS, he worked with the president and chancellors to enhance the university's efficiency, to continue progress toward reducing credits to degree, to realize better retention and graduation rates, to improve minority student recruitment and retention and to institute new degrees and academic programs; and
WHEREAS, under his leadership, the Regents have become more proactive and connected to the campuses and external partners through such innovations as the Regent's legislative committee, UW Day in the Capitol, the adopt-a-campus program and Regent Partnership Awards; and
WHEREAS, under his leadership, the UW System has recruited seven outstanding new chancellors and an excellent senior vice president for academic affairs; and
WHEREAS, working with UW System President Katharine Lyall, he has brought to successful fruition two statewide economic summits, each attended by close to 1,000 people intent on creating a brighter economic future for the state; and
WHEREAS, that activity resulted in a stronger focus on the economy in the university's budget planning process, and in campus and extension based programs aimed at growing the state's workforce in crucial fields and serving local business needs; and
WHEREAS, Regent Smith led efforts to build new bridges for the university with business leaders, K-12 education, the technical colleges, state agencies and the counties and municipalities where UW campuses are located; and
WHEREAS, his time, energy, dedication, collegiality, sense of humor and courage to tackle tough issues have set a high standard for future leaders of the board;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that on behalf of the citizens of the state and on behalf of a grateful university community, the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents highly commends Regent Jay L. Smith for his extraordinary leadership and impressive achievements as President of the UW Board of Regents.
| Gerard Randall, Vice President
UW Board of Regents |
Katharine C. Lyall, President UW System |
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