UW Board of Regents appoints former Gov. Tommy Thompson interim UW System president

The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents President Andrew S. Petersen announced that former Governor Tommy G. Thompson has agreed to serve as UW System interim president effective July 1, according to a release from the university. The decision received uniform support from the Board of Regents.

Thompson served as governor of the state from 1987 until 2001 and is a former U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services. He chairs the UW System Business Council and helped lead a public-private campaign to fund UW–Madison’s BioStar Initiative with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce President and CEO Kurt Bauer stated the organization supports Thompson’s selection, citing his experience as the state’s only four-term governor, his bipartisan policy proposals, and his support of the state’s public universities. Additionally, in a statement from the Wisconsin Technology Council, President Tom Still stated that Thompson is a strong advocate for research and higher education and will bring leadership and support to the UW System.