University of Wisconsin names new UW-Oshkosh chancellor

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will have a new chancellor in about a month.

Andrew Leavitt, vice president for university advancement and CEO of the University of North Georgia Foundation, will be the university's 11th chief executive, the UW System announced Monday. Leavitt will succeed Richard Wells, who retired Aug. 31 after serving as head of the UW System's largest comprehensive institution for 14 years.

"The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is truly an institution where excellence and opportunity meet, a place where values and mission are at the heart of the university," Leavitt said in a statement. "I am impressed with the university's high quality educational environment, its leadership role in economic development, and its proven ability to respond to the needs of the region.

"UW-Oshkosh also effectively engages faculty, staff, students, and community members in pursuit of its mission," he said. "Together, we will build upon these collaborations to ensure that UW-Oshkosh and the region are prepared to meet the challenges of the future. My wife, Karen, and I are honored and delighted about becoming part of the UW-Oshkosh community."

During his five-year tenure at the University of North Georgia, Leavitt co-chaired the university's strategic plan steering committee, oversaw a $44 million fundraising campaign and led the merger of two philanthropic foundations, according to a UW System news release. He holds a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Utah and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, with minors in physics and mathematics, from the University of Arizona.

"The Regents and I were impressed with Dr. Leavitt's vision and his powerful commitment to higher education," UW System President Ray Cross said in a statement. "He brings to this role a unique professional background, both as a faculty member in chemistry and a highly successful advancement executive. It's clear that Dr. Leavitt has a deep understanding of what it takes for a university like UW-Oshkosh to succeed and how important that success is for students, northeast Wisconsin and the state."

UWO Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Petra Roter assumed the role of interim chancellor Sept. 2. She will continue in that role until Leavitt assumes office on Nov 1.

The UW System Board of Regents made the announcement Monday, concluding a six-month search for the next chancellor. A Search and Screen Committee, made up of university faculty, academic and classified staff, students and administrators and Oshkosh community members, interviewed candidates and selected five finalists. The finalists each visited the UWO campus and held open forums. A special Board of Regents panel, along with Cross, then interviewed the finalists and selected Leavitt.

"Dr. Leavitt has the creativity, energy and vision to ensure that we continue to make progress on these initiatives while helping us to anticipate and address the next challenges in higher education," said Barbara Rau, chairwoman of the local search committee. "Dr. Leavitt also brings a unique ability and desire to collaborate with our education, community and business partners who will be key to helping us meet these challenges. His enthusiasm for our campus and everyone he met while he was here was palpable."

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Nathaniel Shuda: (920) 426-6632 or nshuda@thenorthwestern.com; on Twitter @onwnshuda.