Cross named UW System president

After a nationwide search, Ray Cross was selected as the UW System’s seventh president. Cross, who had been serving as chancellor of UW Colleges and the UW Extension since 2011, replaces Kevin Reilly, who stepped down last summer. The 66-year-old Cross, a Vietnam veteran, also has experience as a small business owner and an engineer. He will earn $525,000 per year and has reportedly won the respect of state legislative leaders from both parties. He will start in mid-February.