Office of the President
President, University of Wisconsin System
August 1991-February 2004
- Half of all UW System graduates (more than 300,000) since the UW System was established in 1971 have Katharine Lyall's signature on their diploma.
- UW alumni and supporters have pledged for more than $7 billion in donations since 1991.
- More than four million square feet of new space has been built on UW System campuses, an investment of more than $800 million. Half of this space was supported with non-state funds.
- Annual UW System enrollments have grown by 7,000 students since 1991-92, despite a decline in 700 faculty positions.
- The overall UW System budget has increased by 50 percent, from $2 billion in 1991 to more than $3 billion today.
- Grants and contracts to UW System institutions have grown from $292 million in 1991 to more than $770 million today – an increase of more than 200 percent.
- Students of color presently comprise 10 percent of the UW student body, reflecting the state's general population mix, thanks in part to her leadership and support of the UW System's Plan 2008to diversify the university's student population.
- The number of UW graduates who have a study abroad experience has doubled – today, about one in ten gradates has some global experience.
- Founded Wisconsin's statewide PK-16 council comprised of leaders from all sectors of Wisconsin education – UWS, K-12 (though the Department of Public Instruction), Wisconsin Technical College System, Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities – to develop seamless educational opportunities for all Wisconsin citizens.
- Despite state funding challenges, access rates to university campuses have remained high -- one-third of Wisconsin high school students go directly on to one of the UW campuses upon graduation.
- Served on scores of state task forces and councils, including Governor Doyle's Economic Growth Council , Governor Thompson's Blue Ribbon Commission on 21st Century Jobs (chair), the International Women's Forum, Forward Wisconsin, Competitive Wisconsin, and many more.
- Hired more than 50 exceptional UWS chancellors, some of whom have gone on to lead higher education systems in Georgia, Maine, New Jersey and Washington state, universities from Ohio to Florida and prestigious organizations such as the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
- Enabled the UW System and the UW institutions to play a major role in Wisconsin's economic development through regional economic initiatives, cluster strategies and four statewide Economic Summits.
- Maintained an unwavering commitment to access, quality and accountability for every student who enrolls at any UWS campus.