Chancellor Watson to Resign; UW System President Thompson Names Replacement

Dwight C. Watson announced on June 17 that he will be resigning as the UW-Whitewater Chancellor effective June 30, 2021.  He cited a recent diagnosis of stomach and intestinal cancer, and the upcoming treatments that he must adhere to, as the reasons for his decision.  Watson will remain a member of the Warhawk family as he moves into the ranks of a tenured professor in the College of Education and Professional Studies, while also assisting the interim chancellor transition into that office.

That same day, University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson announced the appointment of former UW System Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Jim Henderson as interim chancellor.  Thompson thanked Watson for his service to UW-Whitewater during a difficult two-year period of time highlighted by necessary budget cuts and a pandemic.  At the same time, he recognized Henderson as a personable and thoughtful academic leader with exceptional experience that will benefit UW-Whitewater.

Henderson served as UW System Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs from 2016-2018. Prior to that he held the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, from 2014–2016, and was dean of the College of Natural and Social Sciences at California State University, Los Angeles, from 2008–2013. Among his other administrative and faculty roles, Henderson was UW-Madison interim provost during summer 2019.

 

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