New UW-Stout Chancellor Already Knows His Way Around
The UW System Board of Regents’ new choice to lead UW-Stout will be a familiar face on the Menomonie campus: Robert M. Meyer, president of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, who spent 25 years in a variety of jobs at UW-Stout, will become the university’s chancellor Aug. 16. He’ll replace Charles Sorensen, who’s retiring in August after 26 years helming the institution that proudly proclaims itself as Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University.
The Board of Regents voted Tuesday to approve Meyer as chancellor. “I plan a fast start as chancellor, drawing upon my experiences and relationships developed as a UW-Stout graduate, faculty member and leader,” Meyer said in a news release. “UW-Stout’s impressive faculty and staff are devoted to student learning and maintaining the great success its graduates have in the workplace: a 97 percent employment rate.”
Before becoming president of WITC -- a two-year college in Shell Lake -- in 2008, Meyer held numerous titles at UW-Stout, such as assistant to the chancellor for state and federal relations; dean of the College of Technology, Engineering and Management; associate dean of outreach; and director of the Stout Technology Transfer Institute. Meyer’s Blue Devil cred goes even further back: He’s got master’s and bachelor’s degrees from UW-Stout (as well as a doctorate in industrial engineering from the University of Minnesota).
UW System officials, Regents, and members of UW-Stout’s search-and-screen committee spoke highly of Meyer, who was chosen from among four finalists. “Dr. Meyer is an established leader with an extensive knowledge of Wisconsin and a long-time affinity with UW-Stout. He understands its mission, challenges and potential and how higher education must evolve to meet the needs of those it serves,” UW System President Ray Cross said in a news release. “He has a distinguished record of successful service and senior-level leadership, and I am confident he is well-prepared to lead UW-Stout to a bright future.”
