Message from incoming Chancellor Dwight C. Watson
Dear Campus Community,
I am excited to join you all on Aug. 1 as the next Chancellor of this great university.
As I shared with the campus community at my open forum, “The Wisconsin Idea” – as authored by Charles McCarthy – truly touches my spirit. As a product of two-year and four-year institutions at the University of South Carolina System, I can attest that state colleges and universities fulfill America’s promise of providing higher education for everyone.
As a first-generation college attendee of modest means, the University provided me the functional, navigational skills that I needed to access future opportunities and I too was “given a person’s work to do.” My work is to inspire learners to achieve. I am equally inspired by UW-Whitewater’s commitment to providing our students transformational and empowering educational experiences, as well as the university’s promise to uphold the tenants of the Wisconsin Idea.
As Chancellor of the Whitewater and Rock County campuses, I will commit myself to the newly revised shared mission and value statements:
“The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a preeminent academic institution driven by the pursuit of knowledge, powered by a spirit of innovation, and focused on transforming lives.”
“The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will be a national and international leader in providing transformational and empowering educational experiences.”
I also want to express my sincere gratitude to interim Chancellor Cheryl Green for her continued leadership.
These next few months will pass quickly and there is much work to be done. I do know that together, the Warhawk family will build on the excellence that is UW-Whitewater.
Sincerely,
Dwight C. Watson
Incoming Chancellor